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The development of natural biodegradable polymers to partially or totally replace synthetic polymers may be advantageous in food packaging, mainly when are associated with additional features such as active packaging. This article aimed to evaluate the effect of tocopherol concentration (0, 5, 10, and 20%) and modified montmorillonite clay (MMT15A) nanoparticles (0 and 1%) on the properties of chitosan (CS) films. The addition of tocopherol provided antioxidant activity and improved the thermal stability of the films, and acted as a plasticizer, decreasing the tensile strength, elastic modulus, and glass transition temperature of the films. Although MMT15A and tocopherol did not change the water vapor permeability, an improvement of the mechanical strength and lower equilibrium moisture content was observed when compared to the treatment made with CS alone. Both MMT15A and tocopherol allowed the production of bio‐nanocomposites with thermal, morphological, mechanical, and water‐resistant properties to be used as an antioxidant in packaging materials. Practical Applications The films containing both montmorillonite (MMT15A) and tocopherol presented an improved mechanical strength, thermal stability, and antioxidant activity when compared to the films containing the only tocopherol. Therefore, it was possible to develop antioxidant chitosan films with improved properties using up to 20% tocopherol and MMT15A. At this tocopherol and MMT 15A concentrations, the films may also be used to nutritionally enrich food, adding value to the package and the conditioned product. Furthermore, the films can also be considered edible films with combined properties.

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Pectin is a natural polysaccharide from plants and the peel of some fruits and is available as a byproduct from the fruit juice industry. Whey protein isolate (WPI) is available as a byproduct of cheese production. Both the pectin and WPI are biodegradable polymers, atoxic, biocompatible, and not expensive. The aim of this article was the study the effect of the WPI addition (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) on thermoplasticized extruded/thermo‐compressed pectin film (TPP). The films were compact and homogenous and did not present statistical differences in mechanical properties, independent of WPI concentration. Furthermore, infrared spectra of the samples with WPI presented an indication of Maillard reaction by the characteristic presence of melanoidin, which was also observed in colorimetric results. Thermogravimetric results indicated the samples were thermal stable with the increase of WPI amount. Moreover, the barrier properties and contact angles suggested the films presented major barrier properties and hydrophilic surfaces for samples with WPI. Finally, the addition of WPI in TPP resulted in a potential material for applications in several industries.Practical applicationsPectin and whey protein isolate (WPI) are biodegradable polymers and byproducts of the food industry. The aim of this article was the study the effect of the WPI addition on thermoplasticized extruded/thermo‐compressed pectin film (TPP), in other words, packagings produced by the industrial method. The samples with WPI presented an indicative of Maillard reaction by the presence of melanoidin, which was also observed in color. The addition of WPI in TPP resulted in a potential material for applications in several industries.