Biodegradable packaging of cellulose acetate incorporated with norbixin, lycopene or zeaxanthin

Abstract There is a growing interest in the use of biopolymers for the development of biodegradable packaging with the addition of natural compounds. The objective of this work is to develop cellulose acetate films with the addition of norbixin, zeaxanthin or lycopene, and to evaluate the physicochemical and barrier properties. The films were obtained by casting technique, and the carotenoids were added at the concentration of 0.03 %, 0.05 % and 0.1 %. There was no difference for film thickness (0.0405 ± 0.010 mm); however the addition of 0.1 % lycopene or zeaxanthin showed higher tensile strength and elongation at break. This plasticizing effect of carotenoids was also observed in Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, with a decrease in the glass transition temperature. However, films with 0.1 % of incorporation of norbixin or lycopene showed a better protective effect on sunflower oil stability when compared to zeaxanthin. Behavior was related to a more significant barrier to the transmission of UV–vis, antioxidant effect and pigment stability.