Development and characterization of biopolymer films based on bocaiuva (Acromonia aculeata) flour.

ABSTRACT

This work aimed to produce films based on bocaiuva flour (Acrocomia aculeata) by the casting method, and to characterise them. All obtained films were visually symmetrical, without ruptures or blistering and visually homogeneous, easy to handle with a yellowish colouration. The addition of glycerol allowed greater flexibility to the films. The tensile strength and the elongation increase as the concentration of flour increased (2.04 g 100 mL-1). The addition of oily phases increases the elongation, indicating that the essential oil incorporated into the films acted as plasticizer because it also allowed a greater permeability to water vapor. Peaks at 2Ɵ between 10.00°, 13.81°, 17.67°, 20.0° and 24.34° were observed in films with 12.56 g of starch per 100 g of pulp, which are characteristic of B-starch, due to the presence of long branched chains of amylopectin, with a peak characteristic of lignocellulosic materials. Reflection was more intense at 2Ɵ between 22° for all treatments. The obtained films presented relevant characteristics for the application as edible coating.