The effects of zinc oxide nanorod incorporation on the flow properties of sago starch solution and antimicrobial, sorption isotherm, water vapor permeability, and UV transmission of sago starch films were investigated. The nanorod-rich ZnO (ZnO-N) was homogenized by sonication and incorporated into sago starch solutions at different concentrations (e.g. 1%, 2%, 3%, and 5% w/w dried starch). Introduction of low concentration ZnO-N to starch solutions significantly increased the viscosity of the solution and significantly decreased the permeability of the films to water vapor by less than one third. Solubility, moisture content, and monolayer water content of the films were decreased, whereas contact angle was increased with higher ZnO-N concentration. ZnO-N starch films had 0% UV transmittance and were able to absorb more than 80% of Near Infrared spectra. ZnO-N sago starch films exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. These properties suggest that ZnO nanorod has the potential as a filler in starch-based films for use as active packaging materials in the pharmaceutical and food industries. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.