Poly(vinyl alcohol), pectin and their blends with different components ratio were exposed to low-temperature air plasma or high energy UV-irradiation (lambda = 254 nm) for the purpose of surface modification. The physico-chemical changes in surface properties have been studied by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and contact angle measurements. Surface free energy of polymeric films, its polar and dispersive components have been calculated by Owens-Wendt method. Moreover, the work of adhesion was estimated and the recovery of hydrophobic properties of modified films after storage have been also studied. The few seconds air-plasma treatment caused more effective surface modification than 5-6 h UV-irradiation. The observed changes were partially reversible, contrary to these caused by photo-modification. It was found that pectin/PVA (50:50) blend was characterised by larger susceptibility to plasma modification compared to pure pectin and pure PVA, whereas the photosensitivity to radiation of 254 nm wavelength was the lowest for this specimen in comparison to other studied samples. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.