Incorporation and evaluation of natural colorants from Penicillium purpurogenum reinforced with cellulose nanoparticles

Abstract

Currently, there is a big interest to sources of natural colorants, because these possess minor adverse health effects and greater consumer acceptability compared to synthetic ones. Thus, not only the search but also the application of new natural colorants are on the rise. Microorganisms are an alternative source for these biomolecules, which may be produced by cultivation technology and extracted from the fermented medium. Penicillium purpurogenum can produce natural colorants with significant antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. The goal of this work is to study the incorporation of natural red colorant produced and extracted by the fermentation of P. purpurogenum DPUA 1275 in biodegradable films. Bioactive biodegradable films are made from natural polymers, plasticizers and added assets, which have been used as packaging for food products in order to increase the shelf life of packaged foods. Among the polymer matrices used in the production of these films, starch, despite the low mechanical strength, has shown great potential. To increase the mechanical resistence of starch films, several studies have been performed to incorporate nanobiomateriais like nanocelulose. Thus, there is an improvement of its mechanical properties without changing its biodegradability. In this work, besides the application of natural colorants will also be developed and characterized biodegradable films developed starch-based and reinforced nanocelulose nanowhiskers derived from plant or bacterial. In a final phase, the efficacy of the bioactive biodegradable film with the best properties will be evaluated when applied to food product packaging.