Active films based on cocoa extract with antioxidant, antimicrobial and biological applications

► Novel films of EVOH with flavanol-rich cocoa powder were successfully developed. ► Release of cocoa extract incorporated produced antioxidant activity in Caco-2 cells. ► Fraction obtained after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion presented antioxidant activity. ► A high concentration of cocoa extract did not have a cytotoxic effect on Caco-2 cells. ► Films produced total inhibition of growth against all microorganisms tested.