Polylactide films produced with bixin and acetyl tributyl citrate: Functional properties for active packaging

Packaging materials are decisive to preserve the quality and nutritional value of food. Polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer with adequate mechanical properties for packaging applications, but its moderate oxygen barrier properties and high UV light transmission hamper its performance as pac...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied polymer science 2021-05, Vol.138 (17), p.n/a
Main Authors: Stoll, Liana, Domenek, Sandra, Hickmann Flôres, Simone, Nachtigall, Sonia Marli B., Oliveira Rios, Alessandro
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antioxidants
Biodegradability
biodegradable
Biodegradable materials
biopolymers
Chemical Sciences
Engineering Sciences
Food
Food engineering
Food packaging
Heat treatment
Life Sciences
Light transmission
Materials
Materials science
Mechanical properties
Packaging
Polylactic acid
Polymers
renewable polymers
Shielding
Ultraviolet radiation
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Summary:Packaging materials are decisive to preserve the quality and nutritional value of food. Polylactide (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer with adequate mechanical properties for packaging applications, but its moderate oxygen barrier properties and high UV light transmission hamper its performance as packaging for oxygen‐ and light‐sensitive products. Bixin, a carotenoid with coloring and antioxidant character, was used to improve the light barrier of PLA films plasticized or not with acetyl tri‐butyl citrate (ATBC). The films were subjected to thermal treatment mimicking polymer processing temperatures. Despite more than 74 wt% of bixin degraded during heat treatment, films were still blocking up to 95% of UVA and 90% of UVB transmission. Plasticizing PLA with ATBC accelerated up to six times the bixin release into a food simulant, which allowed to reach relevant concentrations for food preservation. In conclusion, bixin is a promising natural antioxidant and UV‐shielding additive of biodegradable packaging. Bixin, a natural UV‐shielding antioxidant, keeps efficiency even if degraded during thermal polymer processing of PLA.
ISSN:0021-8995
1097-4628
DOI:10.1002/app.50302