A functional film is formed on a polyethylene nonwoven sheet by reaction of low methoxylated pectin with calcium chloride (CaCl2) in the presence of ellagic acid. The film contains ellagic acid and functions as an intelligent material by releasing the ellagic acid in the presence of sodium ions. This response results from conversion of the water-insoluble pectin film to water-soluble pectin. The film with the best release of ellagic acid is produced using 0.5% CaCl2 and 0.2% water-soluble pectin solutions. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013