Author(s): Azevedo, Ana G. ; Barros, Carolina ; Miranda, Sónia ; Machado, A. V. ; Carneiro, O. S. ; Silva, Bruno ; Andrade, Mariana A. ; Vilarinho, Fernanda ; Saraiva, Margarida ; Sanches Silva, Ana ; Pastrana, Lorenzo M. ; Cerqueira, Miguel
Date: 2024
Persistent ID: https://hdl.handle.net/1822/90367
Origin: RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
Subject(s): active packaging; biomaterial; nanomaterial; a-tocopherol
In this work, alpha-tocopherol (α-TOC) was encapsulated in poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles (PLA NPs) and added to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films with the aim of producing an active film for food packaging applications. PLA NPs loaded with α-TOC were produced through nanoprecipitation and dried using two methods (freeze-dryer and oven). LDPE-based films with final polymeric matrix concentrations of 10 and 20 g/kg were then produced through blow extrusion. The results showed that LDPE-based films loaded with α-TOC can be produced using blow extrusion, and a good distribution of PLA NPs can be obtained within the LDPE matrix as observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were affected by the incorporation of α-TOC and PLA NPs loaded with α-TOC, with the observation of a decrease in tensile strength and Young’s Modulus values and an increase in elongation at break. Regarding water vapor permeability, the films showed a reduction in the values with the addition of α-TOC and PLA NPs loaded with α-TOC compared to the LDPE film (control). Films with α-TOC in the free state and loaded in PLA NPs showed antioxidant activity, but their behavior was affected by the encapsulation process.
