Cucumis metuliferus Fruit Extract Loaded Acetate Cellulose Coatings for Antioxidant Active Packaging

Abstract

A new active coating was developed by using Cucumis metuliferus fruit extract as antioxidant additive with the aim of obtaining an easy way to functionalize low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films for food packaging applications. Thus, an extraction protocol was first optimized to determine the total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity of CM. The aqueous CM antioxidant extract was then incorporated into cellulose acetate (CA) film-forming solution in different concentrations (1, 3 and 5 wt.%) to be further coated in corona-treated LDPE to obtain LDPE/CA-CM bilayer systems. CA and CA-CM film-forming solutions were successfully coated onto the surface of LDPE, showing good adhesion in the final bilayer structure. The optical, microstructural, thermal, mechanical and oxygen barrier performance, as well as the antioxidant activity, were evaluated. The active coating casted onto the LDPE film did not affect the high transparency of LDPE and improved the oxygen barrier performance. The antioxidant effectiveness of bilayer packaging was confirmed by release studies of Cucumis metuliferus from the cellulose acetate layer to a fatty food simulant. Finally, the LDPE/CA-CM active materials were also tested for their application in minimally processed fruits, and they demonstrated their ability to reduce the oxidation process of fresh cut apples. Thus, the obtained results suggest that CA-CM-based coating can be used to easily introduce active functionality to typically used LDPE at industrial level and enhance its oxygen barrier, without affecting the high transparency, revealing their potential application in the active food packaging sector to extend the shelf-life of packaged food by prevention of lipid oxidation of fatty food or by prevention fruit browning.

Effect of Iignocellulosic Nanoparticles Extracted from Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) on the Structural, Thermal, Optical and Barrier Properties of Mechanically Recycled Poly(lactic acid)

“…From a circular economy point of view, it would be interesting to evaluate upgrading methods that also allow to valorize other wastes, such as those coming from agri-food or textile industries. In this regard, lignocellulosic residues from agri-food products are mainly considered as waste or low-value by-product [24][25][26]. Nevertheless, other lignocellulosic biomass derivatives have been recognized as optimal reinforcing fillers for the bioplastic industry due to the fact that they are biobased, light, stiff as well as non-abrasive for the plastic processing machinery [27][28][29].…”

Films Based on Mater-Bi® Compatibilized with Pine Resin Derivatives: Optical, Barrier, and Disintegration Properties

“…The OTR.e values obtained here for MB-resin blends are higher than high oxygen barrier polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (OTR.e < 3 (cm 3 •mm)/(m 2 •day), but lower than that of commercial low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (OTR.e: 160-240 (cm 3 •mm)/(m 2 •day), which is a widely used polymer in food packaging and agricultural applications [44].…”

“…Consequently, LF presents fewer hydroxyl groups available for the hydrophilic interaction with water than UT, which delays its capacity to start the hydrolytic mechanism. Moreover, the fact that LF also possesses the highest sof- The OTR.e values obtained here for MB-resin blends are higher than high oxygen barrier polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (OTR.e < 3 (cm 3 •mm)/(m 2 •day), but lower than that of commercial low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (OTR.e: 160-240 (cm 3 •mm)/(m 2 •day), which is a widely used polymer in food packaging and agricultural applications [44].…”

“…YI shows a similar tendency to b*. MB-5LF and MB-5UT have values of ∆E* ab smaller than 2, which suggests that the difference is not appreciable for the human eye in these blends [44]. On the other hand, all MB-GR blends have major color differences concerning neat MB, thus it can be troubling to use these blends in food packaging applications.…”

Hybrid Biocomposites Based on Poly(Lactic Acid) and Silica Aerogel for Food Packaging Applications

“…In this sense, it should be highlighted that films intended for food packaging applications require high flexibility at room temperature and the elongation at break values obtained here for PLA-ATBC and PLA based biocomposites are comparable in terms of flexibility to frequently used traditional petrol-based and non-biodegradable polymers. One of the most used conventional plastic materials at the industrial level for food packaging applications is low density polyethylene (LDPE), with tensile strength values between 10 and 20 MPa and elongation at break between 80 and 500% [43][44][45]. Therefore, the biocomposite films developed here offer possibilities for their processing at industrial level and their use in the food packaging sector.…”