Development Of Cutin-Based Antioxidant Films

Polyphenolic-rich and/or carotenoid-rich extracts from tomato possess potential biological properties, such as antioxidant activity, extremely valuable for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Cutin, a component of cuticle of tomato peels, was blended with thermoplastic polymers such as low-density polyethylene and amorphous vinyl alcohol with low environmental impact to produce active flexible food packaging films by using conventional manufacturing processes. The polymer formulations containing the polyphenolic-rich and/or carotenoid-rich extracts were characterized to study the physicochemical, structural properties and the additive induced effects on the functional properties of the obtained active films.