FUNCTIONAL BIODEGRADABLE STARCH-BASED FILMS ADDED FROM PEQUI OIL NANOCAPSULES

The incorporation of bioactive compounds in polymeric matrices has been shown to be a promising strategy for the development of functional biodegradable films. Pequi oil (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.), rich in carotenoids with potent antioxidant activity, has a high susceptibility to oxidation, which makes it necessary to use protection systems, such as nanoencapsulation, to ensure its stability. This study aimed to develop pequi oil nanocapsules using chia mucilage as an encapsulating agent and incorporate them in different concentrations into starch-based biodegradable films.

The pequi oil was extracted by cold pressing, and the nanocapsules were prepared by ultra-turrax homogenization of an organic phase (Tween 80, pequi oil and acetone) with an aqueous phase (water and chia mucilage). The filmogenic solution was obtained from the gelatinization of cassava starch (4% w/v) in water under heating (80°C) and mechanical stirring (1500 rpm, 30 min), using glycerol as plasticizer (1% w/w). After cooling (35°C), different concentrations of nanocapsules (10%, 30% and 50%) were incorporated, the solution was dispersed in plates (0.39 g/cm²) and dried in an oven with air circulation (35°C, 20 h).

The nanocapsules showed high encapsulation efficiency (91.87%), nanometric diameter (30.70 nm) and maintained the carotenoids of the oil. The incorporation of the nanocapsules significantly increased the thickness of the films, ranging from 0.112 to 0.161 mm