The potential of quercetin as an effective natural antioxidant and indicator for packaging materials

Quercetin was studied as an antioxidant and environmentally-friendly coloured indicator of ageing time in a Topas cyclo-olefin copolymer (ethylene-norbornene). Derivatives of flavonoids may be interesting alternatives to the use of hindered amines or other synthetic stabilizers. Our research shows that quercetin prolongs the oxidation induction time of the Topas copolymer and increases its thermo-oxidative stability and resistance to high-energy radiation (UVA, lambda = 340 nm). Topas composites containing quercetin have anti-fungal properties. Flavonoids are natural plant pigments that, when added to polymer materials significantly change the colour of the final product. Moreover, the colour of the material changes as a function of time and climatic factors. By examining the colour, one can determine the lifetime, e.g., packaging.