Development of active biodegradable films based on bacterial cellulose/poly(vinyl alcohol) and antioxidant food complex for application in food packaging

Bacterial cellulose (BC) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) stand out among biodegradable polymers to be inserted in the food packaging sector; these can have their properties enhanced when mixed with each other or with the addition of additives (antioxidants). This work initiated a study with BC/PVA blends incorporated with antioxidant food complex (EXT), using concentrations of 0, 1.08, 2.14, and 4.30 g/L of EXT in the fermentation medium. Blends produced were evaluated for water retention capacity, chemical structure, morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and permeability to water vapor. Pure and incorporated blends did not show a significant difference in water retention capacity and morphology. However, incorporated blends showed alteration in the infrared spectrum, decreased crystallinity, thermal stability, permeability to water vapor, and increased antioxidant activity. These results confirm the incorporation of EXT and make the blends promising against moisture and oxidative reactions in the food packaging sector.