Novel Biocomposite Films Based on High Methoxyl Pectin Reinforced with Zeolite Y for Food Packaging Applications

Abstract

Pectin is a natural biopolymer with broad applications in the food industry and it is suitable to prepare edible films to prolong food shelf-life. However, the main limitation of pectin-based films is their poor mechanical and barrier properties. Zeolite Y is a hydrophobic clay that can be used as film reinforcement material to improve its physicochemical and mechanical properties. In this work, the influence of high methoxyl citrus and apple pectin on physicochemical properties of biopolymer films modified with zeolite Y (0.05–0.2 wt%) was investigated. The films were characterized by FTIR, TGA, WAXD, mechanical analysis, and water vapor permeability analysis, and a potential film application is presented. The WAXD and FTIR analysis demonstrated that the strongest interaction between pectin chains and zeolite Y occurred when citrus high methylated pectin was used. Adding 0.2 wt% of zeolite Y into citrus high methylated pectin matrix enhanced the tensile strength by 66%, thermal stability by 13%, and water vapor barrier by 54%. In addition, fruit shelf-life test was performed, where strawberries were sealed in film. It was shown that sealed strawberries maintained a better color and healthy appearance than the control treatment after 7 days at 10 °C. This study enabled the development of biocomposite films with improved properties for potential application in food packaging.

Beneficial properties of zeolite

“…Zeolite can be used as a food package ingredient, due to its content of SiO 2 , water adsorption capacity, and pH levels (Ozdemir and Floros, 2004;Nešić et al, 2022). For example, a package with 1 and 5% zeolites retained the freshness of sardines longer and removed their odor (Papaioannou et al, 2005;Kuley et al, 2012).…”

Zeolite‐based polymer composite films for vegetables and fruits packaging: A review

“…The apples after 45 days of storage: (A) control, (B) with Zeolite, (C) with potassium permanganate, 73 Appearance of the uncoated and coated strawberry sample as a function of time, 74 and Visual observation of bananas peel color changes in each treatment (A) T 0 , (B) T 1 , (C) T 2 , (D) T 3 , and (E) T 4 . 21 the minimum pH required for the growth of the majority of pathogens.…”

“…Nesic et al 74 investigated the effect of biocomposite films based on high methoxyl pectin reinforced by Zeolite Y for food packaging applications. Pectin is a natural biopolymer with several uses in the packaging industry.…”

Fabrication and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles-Based Biocomposite Films Prepared Using Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Taro Mucilage, and Black Cumin Seed Oil for Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities

“…It is worth mentioning that poor moisture resistance and limited mechanical properties are the most frequent challenges in developing biocomposite films [6]. To address this issue, mucilage can be utilized as an alternative to a binary polymer to enhance the mechanical properties of a biocomposite film.…”