Volume 34, Issue 3 p. 187-199
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Enhanced mechanical and antioxidant properties of biodegradable poly (lactic) acid-poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) film utilizing α-tocopherol for peach storage

Jinyong Jiang

Jinyong Jiang

College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306 China

Engineering Research Center of Food Thermal-Processing Technology, Shanghai, 201306 China

Department of Food Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, 108-8477 Japan

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Qingfeng Dong

Qingfeng Dong

College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306 China

Engineering Research Center of Food Thermal-Processing Technology, Shanghai, 201306 China

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Haiyan Gao

Haiyan Gao

Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Food Science Institute, Zhejiang, 310021 China

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Yanchao Han

Yanchao Han

Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Food Science Institute, Zhejiang, 310021 China

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Li Li

Corresponding Author

Li Li

College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306 China

Correspondence

Li Li, College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.

Email: l-li@shou.edu.cn

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First published: 28 December 2020
Citations: 12

Abstract

Poly (lactic) acid-poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (PLA-PHB) blends were prepared through melting method and incorporated with α-tocopherol. The structural, thermal, mechanical and antioxidant properties of resulting active films were characterized, and its preservation effect on peaches (Prunus persica L.) was investigated. Results revealed that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLA film was reduced from 53.2°C to 39.7°C after addition of plasticizer but increased again to 43.3°C after supplementation with α-tocopherol. PLA-PHB are polyesters with carboxylic groups that interacted with the hydroxide groups of α-tocopherol. Furthermore water vapour permeability, gas permeability and elongation at break were significantly improved, and 72.1% 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity was observed. PLA-PHB-α-tocopherol group revealed higher combined water and less oxidative spoilage through low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) and effectively extended the shelf life of peach. Thus, the plasticized PLA-PHB-α-tocopherol film can be used as an active biodegradable packaging for fruits and vegetables.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

All authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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