Produção de filmes ativos a base de amido e zeólita modificada com prata

Abstract

One of the challenges of the packaging industry is the production of films using biopolymers that are biodegradable and derived from renewable sources. In this context, starch is a potential feedstock because of its abundance and low cost. With the objective to maintain the microbiological and sensory quality of the foods, the current trend includes the development of active packaging that act as barrier to external agents and also interact positively with food, helping in their conservation. The aim of this work was to produce active biodegradable films using cassava starch and silver modified zeolite, and evaluate their mechanical properties, water vapor permeability (PVA), and antimicrobial activity. The addition of silver modified zeolite increased the films stiffness, decreased the elongation at break, reduced the hydrophilicity from the reduction of PVA values, and conferred antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Modification of zeolite with silver caused no significant changes in their morphological structure, because in the films containing the same concentrations of unmodified zeolite, the mechanical properties and PVA were equal. It was possible to conclude that the use of silver modified zeolite at concentration of 0.1% was more feasible, because in addition to provide antimicrobial activity, zeolite have acted as a reinforcing agent in starch matrix, and decreased the PVA.