Carboxymethylcellulose–montmorillonite nanocomposite films activated with murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) leaves extract

Abstract

► The addition of MMT to CMC films, improve their physicochemical properties. ► Extract of murta as a solvent produce active films with antioxidant properties. ► Murta active compounds plasticized the films modifying the ratio permeability to gases. The functionality of nanocomposite films based on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and montmorillonite (MMT) activated with murta ( Ugni molinae Turcz) leaves extract was studied. Films were prepared by casting from film-forming dispersions containing CMC, glycerol (used as plasticizer) and different concentrations of MMT, using water or murta extract as solvent. The addition of MMT increased the tensile strength and the elasticity modulus of the films, and decreased their permeabilities to water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide. Besides the antioxidants properties provided to the films, the addition of murta leaves extract changed the gas permeability in different forms according to the MMT content, and plasticized the nanocomposite matrix.