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Mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of pectin/cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposite films and their effect on the storability of strawberries ( Fragaria ananassa )
Author(s) -
Silva Ingrid Souza Vieira,
Neto Wilson Pires Flauzino,
Silvério Hudson Alves,
Pasquini Daniel,
Zeni Andrade Mara,
Otaguro Harumi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/pat.3734
Subject(s) - nanocomposite , materials science , cellulose , pectin , glycerol , vinyl chloride , plasticizer , casting , composite material , nanocrystal , chemical engineering , polymer , organic chemistry , nanotechnology , chemistry , food science , engineering , copolymer
In this work, two formulations of pectin/cellulose nanocrystals/glycerol nanocomposites were employed as packaging to extend storage life of strawberries. The effects of incorporating cellulose nanocrystals extracted from bleached Kraft wood pulp on the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of pectin‐based nanocomposites were evaluated. Nanocomposite films with different filler levels of cellulose nanocrystals (1, 2, 4 and 8% w/w) were prepared by casting. Compared with the neat film of pectin, improvements in the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites were observed, but these films became fragile. To improve the film flexibility, glycerol was added as a plasticizer and then new variations in the mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of these nanocomposites were evaluated. The effects of nanocomposite films on storability of strawberries were compared with Poly vinyl chloride packaging films. The Poly vinyl chloride film and the nanocomposites showed similar behavior regarding weight loss by the strawberries, especially in the initial days of storage. The results show that pectin/cellulose nanocrystals/glycerol nanocomposites could be considered as a viable packaging alternative for replaced the Poly vinyl cloride film. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.