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Thermoplastic starch-based films loaded with biochar-ZnO particles for active food packaging

2023; Elsevier BV; Volume: 361; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2023.111741

1873-5770

Zélia Alves, Paulo Brites, N.M. Ferreira, Gonçalo Figueiredo, Gonzalo Otero‐Irurueta, Idalina Gonçalves, Sónia Mendo, Paula Ferreira, Cláudia Nunes,

Conducting polymers and applications

Foods with extended shelf life motivate the development of active packaging materials. The addition of functional fillers to polysaccharide-based films is a promising approach. In this line, biochar-ZnO (C–ZnO) composites were obtained from sucrose and glucosamine pyrolyzed in the presence of ZnO particles, resulting in Suc-ZnO and GlcN-ZnO composites, respectively. The influence of different amounts (10%, 30%, and 50 wt%) of C–ZnO structures on the properties of thermoplastic starch-based films was studied, demonstrating that 50 wt% of C–ZnO decreased by 30% the film's water solubility while its stiffness increased by 1.5 times. The highest GlcN-ZnO content allowed to obtain the best electrical conductivity (6.7 × 10−4 S/m), antioxidant activity (around 70% of ABTS•+ inhibition in 8 h), and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These starch/C–ZnO films showed the potential to extend food shelf life as a promising active and electrically conductive food packaging system.