Active films incorporated with pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) or buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.) oil as strategy to protection of lipid oxidation and carotenoids photodegradation

Abstract

Pequi (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.) and buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.) are fruits with potential for extraction of edible vegetable oil with high carotenoid content. The aim of this study was incorporated these oils (5 % or 10 %) into cassava starch-based films and verify their photoprotective effect on pigments and maintenance of lipid oxidative stability. Vegetable oils showed a similar profile for carotenoids, with β-carotene being the major pigment (74-77 %). The hydrophobic character and presence of carotenoids in the oils, led to reduced hydrophilicity of the films, better barrier to UV-visible light transmission and to the plasticizing effect. The active films showed rapid biodegradability in soil (60-70 % after 15 days), in addition to a protective effect against photodegradation of the β-carotene solution by increasing the half-life (t_1/2). When applied as packaging for storing corn oil under accelerated oxidation conditions, there was less formation of degradation compounds, which demonstrates potential application as food packaging.

Keywords: Bioactive compounds; Biodegradability; Carotenoids; Cerrado fruits; Edible oil; Food packaging; Food preservation.