Double-Function Oxygen Scavenger and Aromatic Food Packaging Films Based on LDPE/Polybutadiene and Peanut Aroma

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop a double function active packaging material for nuts. The packaging solution, on the one hand, integrated polybutadiene (PB) as an oxygen scavenger and, on the other hand, it incorporated peanut aroma (PA) to improve customer’s sensorial experience. Different formulations based on low density polyethylene (LDPE), commercial PA (5 wt %) and PB at two levels (5 wt % and 13 wt %) were obtained by cast film extrusion. The obtained films were compared in terms of their mechanical, structural, optical and thermal properties confirming a plasticizing effect of PA and PB resulting in an increase in the ductility of the polymer and in a slight decrease in the thermal properties, maintaining their transparency. Regarding the oxygen capacity of the films, values of 4.4 mL and 2.7 mL O2 g−1 film were obtained for PE/PA/PB13 and PE/PA/PB5, respectively, after 6 days proving the suitability of the UV irradiation treatment in improving the oxygen absorption capacity of PB without the need of a metal catalyst. The aroma retention capacity into the polymer matrix was also evaluated in the developed formulations. The incorporation of PB in 13 wt % into a LDPE matrix improved the PA retention. This behavior was attributed to the ability of PB in enhancing cross-linking of LDPE as the concentration of PB increases. The results suggested the potential of PE/PB/PB13 films as oxygen scavenger and aromatic food packaging system to offer protection against lipid oxidation in nuts.

Accelerating the Oxygen Scavenging of Natural Rubber with Food-Grade Catalysts Impregnated on Silica-Based Platform

“…Gaikwad et al (2020) formulated polyisoprene-based films with an oxygen-scavenging capacity of 6.72 cm 3 /g under UV exposure . Juan-Polo et al (2021) designed LDPE/PB films with a scavenging capacity of 4.4 cm 3 /g when activated by UV light . Ramakanth et al (2022) achieved a remarkable oxygen-scavenging capability of 1045 cm 3 /g using a UV-activation process on rubber latex and a photocatalytic system .…”

The Emergence of Edible and Food-Application Coatings for Food Packaging: A Review

“…This is typically accomplished through gas flushing or MAP procedures. Nevertheless, the concentration of residual oxygen in the package primary focus between 0.5 and 5% and may rise during storage [ 170 ]. The oxygen dissolved in the food itself may be released into the headspace of the package to reach equilibrium with the gas phase, oxygen permeating through the packaging material or poor sealing, depending on the circumstances [ 171 ].…”

LDPE-Natural Rubber Composite Film as Active Packaging: A Paradigm Shift in Oxygen Scavengers

“…Other features, the proposed film-making process using commercially conventional twin screw extrusion has practical applications in the packaging industry. The NR-based oxygen scavenging film developed in this study has a higher scavenging capacity (total oxygen scavenging capacity: 61 cc/g of the film) than many other film-based approaches of oxygen scavenging. Further, the developed active film is shown for various food packaging applications, including bread and fatty-acid–based foods like khoa.…”

“…Unsaturated oxygen-scavenging materials like polyisoprene and polybutadiene (PB) are a recent trend in oxygen scavenger films due to their ethylenic unsaturation . In general, PB is broadly used to improve the mechanical properties of packaging films . Furthermore, research has indicated that PB can serve as an effective oxygen scavenger.…”

“…17 In general, PB is broadly used to improve the mechanical properties of packaging films. 18 Furthermore, research has indicated that PB can serve as an effective oxygen scavenger. This is attributed to the presence of double bonds within PB, which can undergo oxidation at room temperature when exposed to atmospheric oxygen through mechanisms such as photo-oxidation, thermo-oxidation, and ozonolysis.…”