A maleated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVAM)-g-chitosan (CS) (PVAM-g-CS) film was prepared in solution form using potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) as an initiator. The influence of the PVAM:CS ratio, the reaction time and temperature and the concentration of K2S2O8 on the properties of the PVAM-g-CS were investigated. Ether linkage of the PVAM-g-CS was observed at 1154 and 1089 cm(-1) by ATR-FTIR. The conditions for grafting CS to PVAM were developed and optimized. The highest degree of grafting was observed at a ratio of 9:1 PVAM:CS. The optimum grafting conditions were found to be 50 A degrees C for a reaction time of 1 h, with a ratio of PVAM:CS of 9:1 and a concentration of 0.5 % K2S2O8. The maximum and minimum swelling ratios were 150 and 330 %, respectively. The tensile strength of the PVAM was enhanced after the incorporation of CS in the PVAM. The highest tensile strength of 24 MPa was found at a ratio of 5:5 PVAM:CS. The PVAM-g-CS shows a high efficiency of controlling capsaicin release in base-acid medium and was easily biodegradable in natural soil especially with high proportions of CS.