Fabrication and Properties of Antioxidant Polyethylene-based Films Containing Marigold (Tagetes erecta) Extract and Application on Soybean Oil Stability

Four films were extruded in a pilot-plant scale blown extrusion machine: a monolayer low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film added with 2.90% of marigold (Tagetes erecta) extract, a two-layer high-density polyethylene/LDPE film added with 3.59% of the extract in the LDPE layer and the corresponding two control films without addition of the extract. More than 64% of astaxanthin contained in the extract was lost during the extrusion process. Spectroscopic, optical and mechanical properties of the films were affected by the addition of the marigold extract. The films showed to be light sensitive when exposed to commercial light at 25 degrees C; however, bags made of the films showed a positive effect on soybean oil stability when used as packaging. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.