Elaboração e caracterização físico-química de filmes de amido adicionados de açaí (Euterpe oleracea mart.) liofilizado

Abstract

The use of synthetic materials derived from non-renewable sources has generated a high environmental impact, which required from the industry, the development of polymeric materials based on biodegradable polymers. Polysaccharides such as starch, are capable of forming low cost homogeneous edible films, resulting in aggregate value to the food due to the film increased biodegradability and increased shelf life of packaged food by the possibility of adding antioxidants, nutrients and natural pigments, which raise the nutritional and organoleptic characteristics of the product. This work was aimed at developing and evaluating, chemically and physically, films from filmogenic solutions (SF) developed with cassava starch, freez-dried acai and glycerol, through spreading technique casting. After preparation under controlled conditions, SF were dried at 30 ± 5 ° C for 24 hours in an oven with forced air circulation. The resulting films were unmolded and stowed in relative humidity controlled at 52.9% for six days for further characterization. The developed films were characterized as the quantification of anthocyanins by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Antioxidant Capacity by ABTS● + and ORAC, thickness, water solubility, permeability to water vapor (PVA), water activity (Aw) , contact angle, optical properties and mechanical properties. At the same time a control film was elaborated (without the addition of acai) that underwent the same physical tests. The results indicated that the addition of acai pulp enabled the development of an edible plastic rich in anthocyanins and higher antioxidant capacity (150,70 µmol Trolox) than fruist like strawberry and raspberry. The anthocyanins had a higher interaction with the starch molecules, probably through the hydroxyl of both which established hydrogen bonds allowing immobilization of anthocyanins in the film, which was advantageous given the high instability of anthocyanins. The polymeric matrix added with freeze-dried acai had its thickness increased which caused an increase of the PVA, reduction of water solubility and water activity, the latter two being advantageous parameters for a food package. Regarding the mechanical properties, it was observed that the rupture power in drilling and deformation were reduced. In the pull test there was a reduction of stress at break and modulus of elasticity. The deformation in traction showed higher results, indicating that the addition of the freeze-dried acai increased film flexibility. As for color, the film presented a darker color compatible with the fruit, with a potential use for packaging of dark foods.