Elaboração de biofilmes de acetato de celulose com incorporação de extrato de alecrim e extrato da casca de uva

Abstract

The increasing use of petroleum-based plastic packaging has caused serious environmental impacts, driving the search for sustainable and biodegradable alternatives. Cellulose acetate stands out among biodegradable materials for its mechanical properties, transparency, and stability, making it a suitable base for developing active films containing natural compounds. Therefore, this study developed cellulose acetate biofilms incorporated with rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and grape peel (Vitis vinifera) extracts, evaluating their physical, mechanical. The films were produced by the casting method using cellulose acetate, glycerol, acetone, and natural extracts. Thickness and tensile tests were carried out under a completely randomized design. The results showed that the incorporation of the extracts significantly affected the mechanical properties of the films. The rosemary extract provided greater elongation (13.94%) compared to the control (4.09%), indicating increased flexibility, possibly due to the plasticizing effect of phenolic and terpenoid compounds. The grape peel extract reduced tensile strength but maintained a homogeneous appearance and absence of visible defects, suggesting good structural uniformity. Regarding thickness, no significant differences were observed among treatments. Therefore, incorporating natural extracts of rosemary and grape peel into cellulose acetate films proved to be a promising alternative for obtaining biodegradable and active packaging materials.