Technological watch

Biodegradable packaging of cellulose acetate incorporated with norbixin, lycopene or zeaxanthin

There is a growing interest in the use of biopolymers for the development of biodegradable packaging with the addition of natural compounds. The objective of this work is to develop cellulose acetate films with the addition of norbixin, zeaxanthin or lycopene, and to evaluate the physicochemical and barrier properties. The films were obtained by casting technique, and the carotenoids were added at the concentration of 0.03 %, 0.05 % and 0.1 %. There was no difference for film thickness (0.0405?±?0.010?mm); however the addition of 0.1 % lycopene or zeaxanthin showed higher tensile strength and elongation at break. This plasticizing effect of carotenoids was also observed in Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, with a decrease in the glass transition temperature. However, films with 0.1 % of incorporation of norbixin or lycopene showed a better protective effect on sunflower oil stability when compared to zeaxanthin. Behavior was related to a more significant barrier to the transmission of UV–vis, antioxidant effect and pigment stability.

Publication date: 01/05/2020

Author: Renato Queiroz Assis, Polliana D’Angelo Rios, Alessandro de Oliveira Rios, Florencia Cladera Olivera

Reference: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2020.112212

Industrial Crops and Products



      

This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 837761.