Impregnation of cinnamaldehyde into cassava starch biocomposite films using supercritical fluid technology for the development of food active packaging

Author(s)

de Souza, Ana Cristina ^[1] ; Dias, Ana M. A. ^[2] ; Sousa, Herminio C. ^[2] ; Tadini, Carmen C. ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Chem Engn, BR-05508010 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Univ Coimbra, FCTUC, Dept Chem Engn, CIEPQPF, P-3030790 Coimbra - Portugal

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, NAPAN, Food & Nutr Res Ctr, BR-05508010 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Carbohydrate Polymers; v. 102, p. 830-837, FEB 15 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 30

Abstract

In this work, supercritical solvent impregnation (SSI) has been tested for the incorporation of natural compounds into biocomposite materials for food packaging. Cinnamaldehyde, with proved antimicrobial activity against fungi commonly found in bread products, was successfully impregnated on biocomposite cassava starch based materials using supercritical carbon dioxide as solvent. Different process experimental conditions were tested (pressure, impregnation time and depressurization rate) at a fixed temperature (35 C) in order to study their influence on the amount of impregnated cinnamaldehyde as well as on the morphology of the films. Results showed that all conditions permitted to impregnate antimicrobial active amounts superior to those previously obtained using conventional incorporation methods. Moreover, a significant decrease of the equilibrium water vapor sorption capacity and water vapor permeability of the films was observed after SSI processing which is a clear advantage of the process, considering the envisaged applications. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 06/06816-9 - Development of biodegradable packaging based on cassava starch and natural antimicrobial agents
• Grantee: Ana Cristina de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate