In this paper, the partial modification of the biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film for potential biological and packaging applications was achieved via hydrophilic modification using atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). In the APPJ system, the allylamine (ALA) monomer was polymerized on the BOPP surface by either the Ar/O-2 or the He/O-2 plasma. The results showed that plasmatic modification created many micro/nano sized holes on the BOPP film, which increased the surface roughness dramatically and the increased roughness enhanced the combining intensity between the BOPP film and the ALA polymer. However, such a plasmatic modification increased the water vapor permeability. The FTIR and XPS characterizations showed that the amine groups were grafted onto the BOPP film, and the contact angle of the BOPP film decreases from 98.5 degrees to 8 degrees. Compared with the BOPP films treated by the Ar or He plasma, the barrier property of the modified BOPP film increased significantly when the ALA polymer was incorporated. The bio-affinity/toxicity of ALA polymer was illustrated by the attachment of the cultured SMMC-7721 hepatoma cells on the modified BOPP film. The significant enhancement in the cell density indicated that modified BOPP film was highly bio-compatible and non-toxic, especially treated with the Ar/O-2/ALA plasma. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.