Preparation of polypropylene/poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) composite films incorporated with melanin for prevention of greening of potatoes

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) and poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) blend films incorporated with melanin (Mel) were prepared using an extrusion casting method. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that Mel was evenly dispersed to form a well‐blended film. The PP/PBAT/Mel composite films prevented UV light transmittance, especially UV‐B rays. The addition of Mel influenced the surface color, water vapor transmission rate, oxygen transmission rate, and water contact angle of the composite films. After the addition of Mel, the tensile strength and elongation at break in the machine direction of the composite film increased by 30% and 27%, respectively. Packaging potatoes with PP/PBAT/Mel film and storing them under fluorescent light for 6 days effectively prevented the greening of potatoes caused by the production of chlorophyll. The PP/PBAT/Mel films have a high potential for the prevention of greening of potatoes during storage and distribution.

Whey Protein Concentrate/Isolate Biofunctional Films Modified with Melanin from Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Seeds

“…∆E > 1 is considered perceptible to the human eye, so both concentrations of melanin in WPC/WPI films caused noticeable color changes [ 18 ]. Overall, the observed results are in good agreement with previous reports, where chitosan [ 14 ], agar [ 19 ], polypropylene/poly(butylene-co-terephthalate) [ 37 ], gelatin [ 38 ] and poly(lactic acid) [ 18 ] films were modified with various melanins.…”

“…However, when melanins were used as nanofillers, the UV barrier properties of materials were due to blocking of the light path, as was reported for poly(lactic acid)/melanin films [ 18 ] as well as for agar/melanin nanocomposite films [ 19 ]. In fact, in nature, melanins play a pivotal role in UV-protection, due to their strong UV-blocking properties resulting from the presence of phenolic and indole groups [ 22 , 37 ]. The high UV-barrier properties of melanin from watermelon seeds have also already been reported [ 10 ].…”

“…In the case of biopolymers, this could enhance performance, as well as sustainability credentials. Further, melanins could enable a wide range of applications, for example by facilitating cross-linking during polymerization, providing antioxidant or antimicrobial activity, altering light scattering ability, or improving other biological properties of the polymers [18,19,37]. Importantly, melanins, like biopolymers, are obtained from renewable resources and are non-toxic; these two features make their use "greener" than many existing commercial additives [35].…”

“…However, compared to their potential, the use of melanins remains under-explored. The relatively few examples typically involve their blending/use with polymers (as chemical modifiers or nanofillers) to modify films and coatings, for example: gelatin [ 38 , 39 ], poly(lactic acid) [ 18 ], alginate [ 21 ], agar [ 19 ], carrageenan [ 13 ], cellulose [ 22 ], chitosan [ 14 ], poly(vinyl alcohol) [ 40 ], polypropylene/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) [ 37 ], polyhydroxybutyrate [ 41 ] and, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer [ 35 ].…”

Curcumin Incorporated Poly(Butylene Adipate-co-Terephthalate) Film with Improved Water Vapor Barrier and Antioxidant Properties

“…A variety of functional or reinforcing fillers such as SiO 2 , graphene oxide, MgO, AgNP, ZnONP, clay, curcumin, grape seed extract, etc. have been utilized enhance the physical and functional properties of PBAT films [ 9 , 15 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. In this sense, the use of natural bioactive compounds to improve PBAT film properties is an attractive field of research.…”