Production of potential antioxidant and antimicrobial active films of poly (vinyl alcohol) incorporated with cashew tree extract

Abstract

In this work, films with potential antimicrobial and antioxidant applications of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) incorporated with the cashew tree extract (CJ) at concentrations of 1 and 5% m/m were made. Flavonoid and phenolic content analyses of the extracts resulted in 404.9 and 10.41 mgEQU/g, respectively. For antioxidant activity, the efficiency of 75.33 and 87.71% was obtained for total antioxidant capacity and free radical capture methods. For antimicrobial evaluation, an inhibition halo was observed for the species Staphylococcus aureus (16 mm). For the incorporated polymeric films, it was possible to observe an increase in thermal stability, decrease in enthalpy of fusion, and degree of crystalline. An increase in tensile strength was observed, and for the formulation PVA/CJ1%, an increase in elasticity was observed. The films incorporated with CJ obtained promising values for antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. It is, therefore, feasible to use the films additive with CJ for the application as active packaging. Novelty impact statement The incorporation of natural agents with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties into packaging is relevant for lowering the number of artificial preservatives and better quality in perishable foods. Hence, this work studies the development of new materials producing active packaging. It studies the incorporation of a vegetable extract from a poorly explored biome (caatinga, a uniquely Brazillian biome). In this paper, the cashew tree plant extract has as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agent.