LAUSR

BACKGROUND Active packaging containing natural flavonoid has recently emerged due to its potential to inhibit the oxidation of foods by interacting with it and/or its surrounding environment, with the aim of counteracting oxidation reactions and extending the shelf-life of foods. The plant Spondias purpurea L. is widely found in northeastern Brazil and is known to contain bioactive flavonoids. The aim of this study was to obtain a flavonoid-rich fraction from the pulp of S. purpurea L. and incorporate it into the cellulose acetate film to obtain biodegradable films with antioxidant properties. RESULTS The fractionation in SiO2 open-column chromatography of the S. purpurea pulp crude extract furnished an antioxidant active fraction containing the flavonols quercetin 3-O-rutinoside and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside as the major compounds. This active fraction was incorporated (10, 20, and 30 g kg-1 ) into the substance produced with the casting method for cellulose acetate films. The films produced were characterized concerning mechanical properties, water vapor permeability (WVP) and antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION The incorporation of the active flavonoid fraction from S. purpurea in the cellulose acetate films decreases WVP and elongation at break, while it also increases antioxidant activity, tensile strength and elastic modulus. Thus, the S. purpurea pulps may be an alternative as a source of antioxidants to be used in cellulose acetate films. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.