The concern about consuming eco-friendly products has motivated research in the development of new materials. Therefore, films based on natural polymers have been used to replace traditional polymers. This study consists of a production of films based on gelatin reinforced with black pepper essential oil-loaded nanoemulsions and Cloisite Na+. The films were characterized by water vapor permeability, mechanical and thermal properties, surface contact angle, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the films containing the nanoemulsion have higher permeability values and an increase in their mechanical resistance. The addition of nanoclay contributed to an increase in the surface hydrophobicity of the film and an increase in the tensile strength, at break, by about 150%. The addition of essential oil nanoemulsions led to an increase in thermal stability. The presence of clay dispersion contributed to the formation of a surface that was slightly rougher and grainier. The addition of the black pepper essential oil nanoemulsion resulted in an increase in porosity of the gelatin matrix. Through X-ray diffraction analysis, it was possible to conclude that both the polymeric gelatin matrix and the essential oils nanoemulsion are intercalated with the clay dispersion.

No abstract

Edible films were produced by combining a pectin (PEC) matrix with chitosan nanopar-ticle (CSNP), polysorbate 80 (T80), and garlic essential oil (GEO) as an antimicrobial agent. CSNPs were analyzed for their size and stability, and the films, throughout their contact angle, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical and thermal properties, water vapor transmission rate, and antimicrobial activity. Four filming-forming suspensions were investigated: PGEO (control); PGEO@T80; PGEO@CSNP; PGEO@T80@CSNP. The compositions are included in the methodology. The average particle size was 317 nm, with the zeta potential reaching +21.4 mV, which indicated colloidal stability. The contact angle of the films exhibited values of 65°, 43°, 78°, and 64°, respec-tively. These values showed films with variations in hydrophilicity. In antimicrobial tests, the films containing GEO showed inhibition only by contact for S. aureus. For E. coli, the inhibition occurred in films containing CSNP and by direct contact in the culture. The results indicate a promising al-ternative for designing stable antimicrobial nanoparticles for application in novel food packaging. Although, it still shows some deficiencies in the mechanical properties, as demonstrated in the elongation data.

No abstract