Development and Characterization of Pectin Films with Salicornia ramosissima: Biodegradation in Soil and Seawater

Abstract

Pectin films were developed by incorporating a halophyte plant Salicornia ramosissima (dry powder from stem parts) to modify the film’s properties. The films’ physicomechanical properties, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and microstructure, as well as their biodegradation capacity in soil and seawater, were evaluated. The inclusion of S. ramosissima significantly increased the thickness (0.25 ± 0.01 mm; control 0.18 ± 0.01 mm), color parameters a* (4.96 ± 0.30; control 3.29 ± 0.16) and b* (28.62 ± 0.51; control 12.74 ± 0.75), water vapor permeability (1.62 × 10−9 ± 1.09 × 10−10 (g/m·s·Pa); control 1.24 × 10−9 ± 6.58 × 10−11 (g/m·s·Pa)), water solubility (50.50 ± 5.00%; control 11.56 ± 5.56%), and elongation at break (5.89 ± 0.29%; control 3.91 ± 0.62%). On the other hand, L* (48.84 ± 1.60), tensile strength (0.13 ± 0.02 MPa), and Young’s modulus (0.01 ± 0 MPa) presented lower values compared with the control (L* 81.20 ± 1.60; 4.19 ± 0.82 MPa; 0.93 ± 0.12 MPa), while the moisture content varied between 30% and 45%, for the film with S. ramosissima and the control film, respectively. The addition of S. ramosissima led to opaque films with relatively heterogeneous microstructures. The films showed also good biodegradation capacity—after 21 days in soil (around 90%), and after 30 days in seawater (fully fragmented). These results show that pectin films with S. ramosissima may have great potential to be used in the future as an eco-friendly food packaging material.

Valorization of Berries’ Agro-Industrial Waste in the Development of Biodegradable Pectin-Based Films for Fresh Salmon (Salmo salar) Shelf-Life Monitoring

“…After the second day, the films with the addition of berry extract kept their initial appearance but showed some loss of color. The results presented by Alvarez-Zeferino et al, 2015 [ 53 ] and Pereira et al, 2021 [ 54 ] are in agreement with the ones obtained in this study showing low levels of biodegradation in the first days of testing.…”

“…The biodegradation test in soil was based on the methodology used by Pereira et al, 2021 [ 54 ]. The films were cut (3 cm × 2 cm) and placed inside a perforated polyethylene net (5 cm × 4 cm; mesh opening 4 mm).…”

“…The biodegradation test in seawater was based on the methodology used by Pereira et al, 2021 [ 54 ]. The films were cut (3 cm × 2 cm) and submerged in 300 mL of seawater (Faro, Portugal, pH = 7.20).…”

Biodegradable and Active Mulch Films: Hydrolyzed Lemon Peel Waste and Low Methoxyl Pectin Blends with Incorporated Biochar and Neem Essential Oil

“…The authors reported fragmentation starting from the second day of the experiment and almost a complete disappearance of the samples after 21 days. 78 As can be seen for the micrographs included in Figure 8C, the biodegradation was mainly caused by a fungal attack, as indicated by the presence of mycelium hyphae on unburied films surfaces. Besides, insects such as proturans were also observed in the degraded samples, being highly abundant in samples without NEO and almost not observable in samples with NEO.…”

Combination of Sorbitol and Glycerol, as Plasticizers, and Oxidized Starch Improves the Physicochemical Characteristics of Films for Food Preservation

“…Therefore, biodegradable films take part in the natural cycle of decomposition “from nature to nature” and play an important role in environmental sustainability; in addition, films play a key role in containing and protecting the nature of food from external factors such as oxygen, odors, microorganisms, and the integrity of its wall, among others. To improve the functionality of the films, combinations of polymers and, in turn, the integration of plasticizers have been investigated, to provide versatility in the mechanical properties and gas/moisture barrier properties depending on interactions between components within the film structures [ 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”