Plasticized Poly(lactic acid)-Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PLA-PHB) Blends Incorporated with Catechin Intended for Active Food-Packaging Applications

Active biobased packaging materials based on poly(lactic acid)-poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PLAPHB) blends were prepared by melt blending and fully characterized. Catechin incorporation, as antioxidant compound, enhanced the thermal stability, whereas its release was improved by the addition of acetyl(tributyl citrate) (ATBC) as plasticizer. Whereas the incorporation of ATBC resulted in a reduction of elastic modulus and hardness, catechin addition produced more rigid materials due to hydrogen-bonding interactions between catechin hydroxyl groups and carbonyl groups of PLA and PHB. The quantification of catechin released into a fatty food simulant and the antioxidant effectiveness after the release process were demonstrated. The effect of the materials exposure to a food simulant was also investigated. PHB-added materials maintained their structural and mechanical properties after 10 days in a test medium that represents the worst foreseeable conditions of the intended use. Thus, plasticized PLAPHB blends with catechin show their potential as biobased active packaging for fatty food.