Thermoplasticized pectin by extrusion/thermo-compression for film industrial application

Abstract

Researches for the development of materials with less environmental impact have been more common. Pectin is a natural polysaccharide, presenting in plants and the peel of some fruits. It is atoxic, biocompatible, not expensive and is available as a byproduct of fruit juice industry. In the literature, pectin is commonly found mixed with other polymers. The objective of this work was to study the thermoplasticization with glycerol of high methoxylation pectin by extrusion/thermo-compression for films with industrial application compared to casting films. Properties of water vapor permeablility (1.27–2.47 g mm/KPa h m2), tensile strength (3.44–8.74 MPa), and puncture resistance (43.01–230.75 N/mm) of extrusion/thermo-compression films were evaluated. Color parameters exhibited possibility of samples application in packages that require the consumer to view the product. The results obtained for extruded/thermo-compressed films are similar or superior to those obtained in extruded thermoplasticized starch works. Results showed efficient production of plasticized pectin films with the possibility of industrial application for extrusion/thermo-compression process.