Development and application of biodegradable alginate films enriched with Anadenanthera colubrina and Amburana cearensis (Fabaceae) extracts for the preservation of chilled chicken meat
Alginate, angico, cumaru, antimicrobial.
Biopolymer-based films and coatings have great potential for application in the food industry, especially as active packaging, as they contribute to extending product shelf life and reducing waste. This study aimed to develop polymeric films based on sodium alginate incorporating resin extracts from Anadenanthera colubrina (angico) and Amburana cearensis (cumaru), both rich in bioactive compounds with recognized antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The resins were collected in the backlands of Paraíba and Pernambuco, and films were prepared with concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4, and 5% (angico) and with concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% (cumaru). The materials obtained were characterized by homogeneity, thickness, mechanical properties (deformation and tensile strength), color, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and the data were subjected to statistical analysis. The films showed good incorporation of the extracts, with satisfactory malleability, homogeneity, and dispersion. The 4% concentration demonstrated better antimicrobial performance for both extracts. Films with angico showed greater transparency, favoring food visualization, while those with cumaru exhibited red and yellowish hues. Both extracts showed potential for use in food packaging; however, films with cumaru extract showed greater antioxidant activity, constituting a more promising alternative for chicken meat preservation.