Poly(limonene): a new renewable additive with active properties for sodium alginate films

• Grant number: 24/07891-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Technology
• Principal Investigator: Luís Marangoni Júnior
• Grantee: Matheus Milanez Leonetti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos (FEA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In this project, active films based on sodium alginate added with poly(limonene) will be developed, with the aim of studying and comparing the structure and properties of films added with poly(limonene) in relation to films with limonene. Poly(limonene) will be synthesized through the photopolymerization of limonene under mild conditions and without metal catalysts, resulting in non-volatile oligomers, with greater thermal stability and active properties (antioxidant and antibacterial activity). The films will be produced by casting with different concentrations of poly(limonene) and limonene, using glycerol as a plasticizer and Tween 80 for hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. Subsequently, the films will be evaluated regarding visual appearance, light transmission, moisture content, water solubility, water vapor permeability, thickness, mechanical properties, antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) , thermal stability (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Therefore, it is expected that the results of films added with poly(limonene) will have superior properties than those of films with limonene. This alternative tends to increase the use of one of the products obtained in the citrus industry, in addition to increasing its added value.