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

Liana Stoll (1) , Sandra Domenek (2) , Simone Hickmann Flôres (1) , Sonia Marli B. Nachtigall (1) , Alessandro de Oliveira Rios (1)

1 UFRGS - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul [Porto Alegre]
2 SayFood - Paris-Saclay Food and Bioproduct Engineering

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.

Keywords: biodegradable; biopolymers; packaging; renewable polymers

Domains: Polymers; Food engineering; Materials

Liana Stoll, Sandra Domenek, Simone Hickmann Flôres, Sonia Marli B. Nachtigall, Alessandro de Oliveira Rios. Polylactide films produced with bixin and acetyl tributyl citrate: Functional properties for active packaging. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2021, 138 (17), pp.50302. ⟨10.1002/app.50302⟩. ⟨hal-03413495⟩