Dados do Trabalho

Título

STARCH/NANOCELLULOSE MULTILAYER FILMS FOR ACTIVE PACKAGING APPLICATIONS: INCORPORATION AND EFFECTS OF CARVACROL

Introdução

The design of multilayer systems is considered an innovative strategy to enhance the properties of biodegradable polymers and introduce functionality to the materials by incorporating active compounds. In this study, biodegradable multilayer films were developed using compression molding, with potential application as active packaging materials.

Material e Métodos

The films were obtained by incorporating outer layers of starch with nanocellulose and an inner layer with carvacrol at concentrations of 0%, 5%, and 10%. These films were characterized in terms of moisture content, water solubility, swelling behavior, water vapor permeability, surface hydrophobicity, transparency, mechanical properties, and antioxidant activity.

Resultados e Discussão

All films showed similar values of moisture content (21.23%), solubility (53.87%), and water swelling (18.22%). However, the films with 10% carvacrol exhibited higher contact angle values (43.54°) than the control films (35°) and the films with 5% carvacrol (33°). Additionally, the films with carvacrol demonstrated lower water vapor permeability compared to the control films. Moreover, the addition of carvacrol did not affect the transparency of the samples, making them suitable for applications that require visibility through the packaging. The films with carvacrol showed a 50% decrease in tensile strength and elongation compared to the control films. Furthermore, the Young's modulus was affected, showing values of approximately 10.02 MPa, 6.53 MPa, and 5.42 MPa for films with carvacrol concentrations of 0%, 5%, and 10%, respectively. Finally, preliminary studies were conducted to evaluate the potential use of the multilayer films as separators for Paipa cheese (a Colombian semi-ripened cheese with protected geographical indication). The concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) was assessed during 15 days of storage. The cheeses using multilayer material separators containing carvacrol exhibited lower TBARS values (1.1 kmol MDA/kg) compared to the cheese without separators (5.6 kmol MDA/kg) at the end of the storage period.

Conclusão

The results indicate that these biodegradable multilayer films offer a viable alternative to traditional packaging, contributing to sustainability in the food packaging industry.