<![CDATA[Antibacterial edible films based on natural extracts have gained attention as sustainable alternatives for food packaging. Leaf extract of Trema orientalis contains bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins, with potential antibacterial activity. The extract was obtained using ethanol and characterized by LC–MS, which identified 16 compounds, with an extraction yield of 16.45%. Edible films were prepared using a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–polyethylene glycol (PEG) matrix and characterized by FTIR, SEM, and physical–mechanical analyses. The incorporation of the extract improved the film properties, including thickness, water resistance, and tensile strength. Antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli increased with extract concentration, reaching a maximum inhibition zone of 13.3 ± 0.58 mm at 60% extract concentration. Molecular docking against DNA gyrase B of E. coli (6F86) and S. aureus (4URM) identified compound 5 (−8.04 kcal/mol) and compound 13 (−7.94 kcal/mol) as the strongest-binding compounds toward their respective target proteins, indicating their potential contribution to the antibacterial activity of the extract. Toxicity evaluation using the Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) yielded an LC50 value of 1976 ppm, indicating that the extract was non-toxic. These findings demonstrate that Trema orientalis extract-based edible films exhibit promising antibacterial properties and have potential as environmentally friendly active food packaging materials.]]>
