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| Author(s): |
Andréa Cristiane Krause Bierhalz
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | Campinas, SP. |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química |
| Defense date: | 2010-07-19 |
| Examining board members: |
Theo Guenter Kieckbusch;
Fabio Yamashita;
Fernanda Paula Collares Queiroz
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| Advisor: | Theo Guenter Kieckbusch |
| Abstract | |
Pectin and alginate are natural polymers with potential applications in the development of biodegradable package films, since they can be obtained at low cost from a large variety of renewable sources. There is a growing interest concerning the control of microbial activity in prepared food using active packaging. In this work, single and composite films based on alginate and pectin crosslinked with calcium ions and containing glycerol as plasticizer were prepared. The influence of calcium and glycerol concentrations and of the time of reticulation on the film characteristics was evaluated and the addition of natamycin as an active agent was investigated. The strong gelling power of Ca++ ions hinders smooth casting procedures so that a film with low degree of reticulation has to be initially confectioned by casting (1st stage). These pre-films are further crosslinked in a second contact with a more concentrated Ca++ solution containing plasticizer (2nd stage). Alginate and pectin were compatible in all proportions studied resulting in visually attractive films. Increasing the alginate concentration decreased film solubility in water and the swelling degree and increased the thickness, resistance to tensile stress, flexibility, water vapor permeability, opacity and glass transition temperature. Films pre-reticulated with 1% CaCl2.2H2O (13.60 mg Ca++/g biopolymer) in the solution of the 1st stage, immersed for 20 minutes in a 5% CaCl2.2H2O and 3% glycerol solution (2nd stage) showed a good compromise between high mechanical resistance, attractive appearance and low solubility in water. This formulation was selected for the manufacture of active films containing natamycin. Addition of natamycin promoted an increase in water vapor permeability, solubility in water and opacity and decreased the tensile strength when compared to films without the added anti-microbial agent. Experimental data of mass of natamycin released by immersion of the film in water were well fitted to Fick's second law diffusional model, with effective diffusivity values ranging from 9.53. 10-9 e 9.22.10-12 cm2/s. The diffusivity increased with the thickness and decreased with alginate concentrations in the film (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 08/52830-9 - Preparation and characterization of active films based on LM-pectin and LM-pectin/alginate crosslinked with calcium |
| Grantee: | Andrea Cristiane Krause Bierhalz |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |