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Biodegradable films based on red rice flour (RRF) and red rice starch (RRS) with glycerol as plasticizer were developed and formulated with different RRF:RRS ratios (10:0, 9:1, 7:3, 5:5, and 0:10, w/w). The mechanical, physicochemical, barrier, optical, antioxidant, and biodegradability properties were evaluated. The morphology, thermal stability, and protective effect of the films against sunflower oil oxidation were investigated only for selected films. The films had interesting results for moisture content, solubility, water holding capacity, water vapor permeability, color, and light transmission. Among the films studied, RRF-RRS (9:1) film showed improved mechanical properties and lower cost compared with rice-starch-based film. The films exhibited great activity in scavenging the DPPH radical (>90%). Regarding biodegradability, all films lost around 60% of weight after 15 days in soil degradation analysis. The selected RRF-RRS films (10:0, 9:1, and 0:10) were thermally stable until approximately 150 °C. SEM analyses revealed that flour-based films have less smooth surfaces and that the incorporation of starch improved their homogeneity. The RRF-RRS (9:1) film exhibited an interesting protective effect of sunflower oil and retarded its oxidation process. Therefore, this study suggests that red rice flour and starch are promising raw materials with potential to be used as active food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Films of quinoa flour ( Chenopodium quinoa, W) incorporated with oregano ( Origanum vulgare L.) and thyme ( Thymus vulgaris L.) essential oils (EOs) at 0.5%, 1%, and 2% p/p were prepared to examine their physical and mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The type of EO was not significant for the physical and barrier parameters of the films. The increase in the EOs concentration led to an increase in the elongation at break, but decrease in the tensile strength, Young's modulus, solubility and water vapor permeability. Films containing 1% and 2% EOs exhibited an inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus and E. coli. However, S. aureus was more sensitive to both EOs and the oregano was more efficient in the inactivation to both microorganisms. The incorporation of EOs as natural antibacterial agents may lead to their potential application as active packaging materials to increase food safety. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43311. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biocomposite films were prepared by incorporating different concentrations of beet root residue powder (BRP) (2, 4, 8, and 12 g BRP/100 g water) into films based on residues of gelatin capsules (GCR) (40 g GCR/100 g water). Control films had no BRP added. A complete mechanical, physicochemical, barrier, optical, and antioxidant characterization of all films was performed. Among all the films considered, BRP12 was found to present the most adequate properties and was further investigated. SEM micrographs showed that BRP12 presented a less homogeneous surface in comparison with the control film, but they showed similar thermal stability. After 15 days of soil degradation, the films lost over 75% of weight. The films were effective on protecting sunflower oil from primary oxidation process, and BRP12 showed higher protection than control film. Therefore, this study suggests that the formulated films could act as promising antioxidant materials and contribute to environmentally friendly technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of biodegradable films with addition of natural antioxidants is an alternative to the use of non-biodegradable packaging and use of synthetic antioxidants. The aim of this study was to develop biodegradable cassava starch films with antioxidant activity by the addition of free lycopene or lycopene nanocapsules and evaluate the effect of addition in the physical properties, mechanical and barrier of the films. Addition of free lycopene showed lower water vapor permeability, tensile strength and elongation of the films, however, the addition of lycopene nanocapsules provided an increase of these parameters compared to the control film. Addition of lycopene nanocapsules also provided greatest barrier to light transmission UV/Vis compared to the control films, films with added free lycopene and the commercial polyethylene film. The films incorporated lycopene nanocapsules provided greater protection to oxidation of stored sunflower oil under accelerated oxidation conditions, which shows potential application as packaging antioxidant to prevent oxidation of foods with a high fat content. The biodegradable films showed good thermal stability when subjected to different heating rates and rapid biodegradability for 15 days, which demonstrates good characteristics and potential applications of lycopene nanocapsules for the development of active biodegradable packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]