The effect of different amounts of pomegranate (Punica granatum, Malas Isfahan cultivar) juice, endowed
with high antioxidant activity, on the bitter vetch seed protein films was investigated. We demonstrated
that the films prepared in the presence of pomegranate juice exhibited significantly increased moisture
content, total soluble matter, elongation at break, as well as water vapour permeability, whereas their
tensile strength significantly decreased. These findings clearly suggest that pomegranate juice had a
plasticizing effect on the prepared protein-based films, the antioxidant activity of which was also found
significantly enhanced. Since scanning electron microscopic images indicated that film structure was
undoubtedly affected, we hypothesized that interactions between phenolic compounds contained in the
pomegranate juice and bitter vetch proteins are responsible for the modified properties of the obtained
blended films. The potential use of pomegranate juice in improving the antioxidant activity of proteinbased
films is suggested.