Abstract
Oxygen scavengers are used in food packaging to protect oxygen-sensitive food products. A mixture of gallic acid (GA) and sodium carbonate was used as an oxygen scavenger (OSc) in bio-based multilayer packaging films produced in a three-step process: compounding, flat film extrusion, and lamination. We investigated the film surface color as well as oxygen absorption at different relative humidities (RHs) and temperatures, and compared the oxygen absorption of OSc powder, monolayer films, and multilayer films. The films were initially brownish-red in color but changed to greenish-black during oxygen absorption under humid conditions. We observed a maximum absorption capacity of 447 mg O2/g GA at 21 °C and 100% RH. The incorporation of GA into a polymer matrix reduced the rate of oxygen absorption compared to the GA powder because the polymer acted as a barrier to oxygen and water vapor diffusion. As expected, the temperature had a significant effect on the initial absorption rate of the multilayer films; the corresponding activation energy was 75.4 kJ/mol. Higher RH significantly increased the oxygen absorption rate. These results demonstrate for the first time the production and the properties of a bio-based multilayer packaging film with GA as the oxygen scavenger. Potential applications include the packaging of food products with high water activity (aw > 0.86).
Highlights
In active packaging technology, oxygen (O2 ) scavengers are used to protect O2 -sensitive food products [1,2,3]
Higher relative humidities (RHs) significantly increased the oxygen absorption rate. These results demonstrate for the first time the production and the properties of a bio-based multilayer packaging film with gallic acid (GA) as the oxygen scavenger
Some natural substances can be used as bio-based O2 scavengers including plant extracts, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, and especially polyphenols, which are known for their ability to react with O2 [11,12,13,14]
Summary
Oxygen (O2 ) scavengers are used to protect O2 -sensitive food products [1,2,3]. During the reaction between GA and O2, a change of color from white (pure GA) to dark brown, dark green, or black may observed, depending which of base is used [13]. 2 ingress from the environment, and an the use of GA as a scavenger in packaging films requires multilayer structures comprising an outer inner food layer contact to2prevent directthe contact between and GA and the packed food. O2 absorption properties bio-based packaging films containing were involving compounding, cast film extrusion, and lamination. We investigated the and effects of the polymer matrix, in thesurface relativecolor humidity, and temperature on oxygen provide insight into the O2the scavenging of GA andbyitsthe potential in food absorption and determined change inproperties surface color caused reaction.applications. Insight into the O2 scavenging properties of GA and its potential applications in food packaging
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