Eco-friendly materials produced by blown-film extrusion as potential active food packaging

Starch/polyester blends are potential substitutes for non-degradable materials. Active food packaging was produced by the blown-extrusion of starch/poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends added to alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TOC). The films showed adequate stability and processability by the blown-extrusion method and were converted into an essentially amorphous and homogeneous material. The transparency and water vapor permeability of the films increased with the addition of alpha-TOC. The antioxidant interfered in the organization of the polymeric matrix, which was confirmed by SEM images, resulting in lower tensile strength and elongation at break, with no interference due to the alpha-TOC concentration. The inclusion of alpha-TOC did not influence the thermal stability, and it increased the crystallinity of the samples. The formulation with the lowest concentrations of the antioxidant (T0.25) presented an almost complete release of alpha-TOC, proving the efficiency of the films as active packaging. The complete degradation of the materials was proved by evaluating the composting of the films. The eco-friendly films are promising materials for active food packaging.