Celluloses microfibers (CMF)/poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) composites for food packaging applications: A study based on barrier and biodegradation behavior

CMF/EVA composites were prepared with different weight percentage of CMF. Swelling parameters, diffusion coefficient and oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of the composites were investigated to analyze the CMF-EVA interaction and application of these composites as food packaging materials. The experiments were carried out in milk, curd and orange juice at normal storage temperatures i.e., -4, 8, 15 and 25 degrees C. The composite showed an increased barrier property with CMF loading. This in turn also indicates good interfacial interaction between CMF and EVA which was further evaluated using FTIR spectra. SEM and optical microscopic photographs showed a uniform distribution of CMF in EVA. XRD and DSC results indicated increased crystallinity of composites with CMF loading. Biodegradability of composites were studied by inoculating the films with Aspergillus niger (A. niger) and showed increased biodegradation with CMF. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.