Abstract: Polyphenols are a class of natural secondary metabolites, and have emerged as an ideal raw material for active and intelligent food packaging due to their eco-friendly safety, exceptional antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and unique environmental responsiveness. This review systematically summarizes the latest advances in the preparation and application in food preservation of polyphenol-based composite films. It focuses on polyphenol selection, loading strategies and innovative upgrading of the film-forming process, discussing their technical advantages and application scope. Meanwhile, it analyzes the antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial performance, environmental responsiveness, and barrier mechanism of the films, and reveals their efficacy in preserving the quality of foods, such as fruits/vegetables, meats, and aquatic products. It also discusses the challenges facing their application in food preservation. This review aims to provide theoretical support and technical pathways for the function-oriented design, process optimization, and application in food preservation of polyphenol-based composite films for the purpose of advancing the efficient, intelligent and sustainable development of the food packaging field.

Key words: polyphenols; composite membrane; food preservation; active packaging; intelligent packaging