Biodegradable Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Active Films Loaded with MSU-X Mesoporous Silica for the Release of α-Tocopherol

Abstract

In this study, new active PCL (poly(ε-caprolactone)) films containing α-tocopherol (TOC) and MSU-X mesoporous silica were prepared by melt blending. The studied additives were directly incorporated into the polymer matrix or by impregnating TOC into MSU-X silica (PCL-IMP). Thermal, optical, oxygen and water barrier properties as well as oxidation onset parameters, were studied. Films containing MSU-X and/or TOC showed a significant increase in oxidative onset temperature (OOT) and oxidative induction time (OIT), improving thermal stability against materials oxidation by the addition of mesoporous silica and TOC into the polymer matrix. In addition, the effect of MSU-X addition on the migration behaviour of α-tocopherol from active films was investigated at 40 °C using 50% (v/v) ethanol as fatty food simulant, showing PCL-IMP films the lower release content and diffusion coefficient (3.5 × 10−15 cm2 s−1). Moreover, radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS) and antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus were favoured by the release of α-tocopherol in the developed films. The obtained results have demonstrated the potential of the new PCL-based active formulations for TOC controlled release in antioxidant and antibacterial food packaging applications.

Novel Antioxidant Packaging Films Based on Poly(ε-Caprolactone) and Almond Skin Extract: Development and Effect on the Oxidative Stability of Fried Almonds

“…Then, the free radical scavenging of ASE could be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds that can migrate through the polymer matrix to the food product. The obtained results are in accordance with those obtained by Mellinas et al [ 15 ] reporting RSA values around 20% at short initial migration times for PCL-based films added with α-tocopherol by following the DPPH method. Similar results were found for gelatin-based films additivated with curcuma ethanol extract [ 48 ], electrospun PCL films with sage natural extract [ 51 ], acetylated hemicellulose-nanocellulose-PCL films with mango peel polyphenols [ 55 ] and chitosan films containing tea extracts [ 53 ], being the obtained RSA values dependent on the type and concentration of the active additive used in the formulations.…”

“…These results are in line with the conclusions supported by other work in which the addition of polyphenols extracted from mango peel into acetylated hemicellulose-nanocellulose-PCL films were suitable for application in packaging of oily or fatty foods [55]. In addition, a similar trend was obtained by Mellinas et al [15] and Beltrán et al [17] who reported no significant differences (p > 0.05) between PCL-based films with and without the addition of α-tocopherol and hydroxytyrosol, respectively, indicating the suitability of the developed active materials to be used for oxygen-sensitive products.…”

“…Several reviews [6,8,9] and research works can be found in the recent literature related to the use of natural antioxidants extracted from food waste or by-products such as orange [10,11], potato [12], olive leaf [13] and mango peels [14] for the development of antioxidant food packaging materials. Among the compounds naturally found in these by-products, antioxidants such as α-tocopherol [15], thymol, carvacrol [16], hydroxytyrosol [17], curcumin [18] and hydrolysed cottonseed proteins [19] have also been incorporated into packaging materials to reduce the problems associated with the lipid oxidation of fatty foods. In addition, oxygen scavengers have been considered as active systems to prevent food oxidation processes.…”

Poly(ε‐caprolactone): A potential polymer for biodegradable food packaging applications

“…Martínez‐Abad et al 89 suggested the controlled diffusion of cinnamaldehyde—a natural biocide within the PCL for prolonging the shelf‐life of packaged products. Mellinas et al 90 showed the potential of the new PCL‐based active formulations for α‐tocopherol controlled release in antioxidant and antibacterial food packaging applications. The PCL films containing α‐tocopherol and mesoporous silica were prepared by melt blending which showed a significant increase in oxidative onset temperature and oxidative induction time, improving thermal stability against materials oxidation.…”

Electrospun nanofibrous membrane for filtration of coconut neera

“…It is a biocompatible material approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [ 29 , 30 ]. Also, it is authorized as a direct food contact material by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and FDA [ 31 , 32 ]. Hence, PCL was chosen as the polymeric material for nanofibrous membrane fabrication.…”