Pectin as a non-toxic crosslinker for durable and water-resistant biopolymer-based membranes with improved mechanical and functional properties

•Pectin proved to be a very efficient bioderived crosslinker.•A green hydroalcoholic solution was used as a solvent for the membrane casting mixture.•Polyvinyl alcohol/pectin crosslinked membrane showed very high stability in water.•High mechanical properties and resistance to microbial degradation were obtained.•Water vapor barrier properties remained constant over an observation period of 6 months.