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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop antimicrobial bioplastics based on Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) with the addition of chitosan-ZnO, and chitosan-TiO 2 to improve antimicrobial properties., Methods: For the preparation of the bioplastics, PLA with chitosan-ZnO or chitosan-TiO 2 were used. The antimicrobial activity, mechanical and thermal properties, and water vapor permeability of bioplastics were evaluated., Results: PLA-chitosan-ZnO indicated a robust antimicrobial activity against bacteria such as Salmonella typhi , Bacillus subtilis , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , yeast such as Candida albicans , and fungus Aspergillus niger . No formation of new functional groups in PLA-chitosan-ZnO composites. In comparison to other PLA-based bioplastics, this bioplastic has medium tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation percentages with low barrier ability to water vapor. Chitosan-ZnO itself has a greater tensile strength compared to chitosan-TiO 2 . These two compounds undergo 2 stages of decomposition in a temperature range of 43 °C to 265 °C. The addition of PLA into chitosan-ZnO or chitosan TiO 2 causes the bioplastics decomposed in a single stage. It also increases the decomposition temperature of bioplastic. However, compared to chitosan-ZnO or TiO 2 , the PLA-chitosan-ZnO or TiO 2 bioplastics tend to produce a fragile composite indicating by decrease in their tensile strength., Conclusion: In general, the addition of chitosan-ZnO into in PLA-based bioplastic produces better antimicrobial properties compared to TiO 2 ., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors of this article declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021.)