The production of surface compounds coated with active substances has gained signifcant attention in recent years. This study investigated the physical, mechanical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of a composite made of starch and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) containing various concentrations of Ferula gummosa essential oil (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). The addition of ZnO NPs improved the thickness, mechanical and microbial properties, and reduced the water vapor permeability of the starch active flm. The addition of F. gummosa essential oil to the starch nanocomposite decreased the water vapor permeability from 6.25 to 5.63 g mm−2 d−1 kPa−1, but this decrease was signifcant only at the concentration of 1.5% of essential oils (p< 0.05). Adding 1.5% of F. gummosa essential oil to starch nanocomposite led to a decrease in Tensile Strength value, while an increase in Elongation at Break values was observed. The results of the antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite revealed that the pure starch flm did not show any lack of growth zone. The addition of ZnO NPs to the starch matrix resulted in antimicrobial activity on both studied bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). The highest antimicrobial activity was observed in the starch/ZnO NPs flm containing 1.5% essential oil with an inhibition zone of 340 mm2 on S. aureus. Antioxidant activity increased signifcantly with increasing concentration of F. gummosa essential oil (P< 0.05). The flm containing 1.5% essential oil had the highest (50.5%) antioxidant activity. Coating also improved the chemical characteristics of fsh fllet. In conclusion, the starch nanocomposite containing ZnO NPs and F. gummosa essential oil has the potential to be used in the aquatic packaging industry.
