ARTOCARPUS ALTILIS STARCH FILMS CONTAINING BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS DERIVED FROM CURCUMA LONGA L. APPLIED TO GUAVAS (PSIDIUM GUAJAVA)

Starch from breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a promising alternative for biodegradable packaging, especially when combined with bioactive compounds such as turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), which imparts antioxidant properties and color to the films. The bioactive compounds in turmeric, such as curcumin, have high antioxidant capacity; they can neutralize free radicals and slow oxidative processes in foods, in addition to acting as photoprotective and antimicrobial agents, thereby expanding their potential for use in active packaging. This study developed and characterized active films based on breadfruit starch: F1 (3%), F2 (5%), and F3 (7%) (w/w), incorporating different concentrations of turmeric powder: C15 (0.15%), C30 (0.30%), and C45 (0.45%) (w/w), to preserve guavas (Psidium guajava) and replace conventional plastics. We evaluated turmeric for antioxidant activity using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. The films were characterized for opacity, transparency, moisture content, solubility, water vapor permeability (WVP), and color. We measured transparency and opacity using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and determined WVP in accordance with ASTM 96-00 (2000). Turmeric exhibited antioxidant activity (DPPH) of 0.98±0.21%, confirming the potential of its bioactive compounds to neutralize free radicals. Adding turmeric reduced light reflectance (L) from 86.76 to 66.87 while increasing the b and chroma (C) parameters, indicating a more intense yellow color and greater protection of the food as a barrier against light. Transparency decreased progressively with turmeric addition, ranging from 19.64% Tm · mm ¹ (F1C15) to 7.20% Tm·mm⁻¹ (F3C45). At the same time, opacity increased, ranging from 0.044 Abs·mm (F2C15) to 0.135 Abs·mm (F3C45), indicating that films with higher turmeric content provide a better barrier to light transmission. The WVP contents ranged from 2.49 to 5.34 g·mm/kPa·h·m², with lower values for F1C15 and F1C30, indicating a better water vapor barrier. Therefore, these films have potential as active packaging, helping preserve fruits and supporting the development of alternative materials to conventional plastics with functional properties. I want to thank the International University of Afro-Brazilian Lusophony (Unilab) for its institutional support and PIBIC/Unilab for awarding me the Scientific Initiation Scholarship.