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Polymer Chemistry 2018
Polymer Sciences
ISSN: 2471-9935
Page 79
March 26-28, 2018
Vienna, Austria
3
rd
Edition of International Conference and Exhibition on
Polymer Chemistry
B
iopolymers such as PLA have gained a lot of popularity as
active packaging, to protect food products from oxidation
by the delivery of natural antioxidants, thanks to their ease
of thermo-conformation and relatively low price compared
to other biopolymers. This research studied the application
of PLA active films containing several natural antioxidants
into food models to simulate real application of these types
of films in food packaging. PLA films were prepared and
charged with varying amounts of antioxidants or extracts
such as α-tocopherol, gallic acid, red fruits, etc. Films were
characterized with FTIR, DSC, TGA and SEM. Active films were
applied to different food models to assess their protective
action with different methods. Food simulant was used to
determine themigration of antioxidants fromthe filmto the food
model, and HPLC analyses were performed to quantify results.
Oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions with sunflower oil were used as
a fatty food model and primary oxidation was measured with
peroxide value method. Finally, meat burgers were prepared
and covered with active films. Secondary oxidation of burgers
was monitored during a month with TBARs method. Results
showed that some natural antioxidants improved the thermal
stability of prepared films, acting as nucleating agents favoring
the crystallization of PLA films. A good inclusion of natural
additives in the polymer matrix was proved by the single Tg
observed in prepared films. The antioxidant capacity of active
films was demonstrated by several tests, which revealed that
active films can have strong protection levels.
Biography
Gádor Indra Hidalgo studied a Master’s degree in chemical engineering with
polymer specialization, and is currently studying a PhD in Polytechnic Uni-
versity of Catalonia (UPC). Her research interests are biopolymers, and poly-
mers for food packaging and she is currently collaborating with industries
during industrial trials. Her main research topic is focused on the addition of
antioxidants to polymer films to increase lifespan of packaged foods and
the sustainability of polymeric packaging solutions.
María Pilar Almajano is a teacher in UPC, specialist in natural antioxidants
and has recently started a research path on polymeric active films, its char-
acterization and improvement. Research Interests: Food packaging, bio-
polymers, multilayer films, newmaterials.
chemicontact@gmail.comPLA active packaging with natural antioxidants
Gádor Indra Hidalgo
and
María Pilar Almajano
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain
Gádor Indra Hidalgo et al., Polym Sci, Volume 4
DOI: 10.4172/2471-9935-C1-008