Affiliation:
1. Food Engineering Department URI Campus of Erechim Av. Sete de Setembro 1621 Erechim 99709‐910 RS Brazil
2. Department of Materials Engineering Federal University of São Carlos Rod. Washington Luís, s/n ‐ Monjolinho São Carlos 13565‐905 Brazil
Abstract
SummaryThis study aimed to develop and characterise cassava starch‐based films incorporating green tea extract and to assess the antioxidant effectiveness of these edible films against oxidative degradation in sliced calabrese sausage. The films were formulated with 3.5% starch (w/v) and 35% glycerol (w/w), with the addition of commercial green tea extract at concentrations of 1.0%, 2.5%, and 5.0% (w/v of film‐forming solution). The formulations with extract showed significantly higher per cent elongation at break compared to the control (without extract) (P < 0.05), with higher tensile strength observed in the film with 1.0% extract. The best results in antioxidant activity kinetics with IC50 values between 0.012 and 0.14 mg mL−1 over 60 days were obtained with 1% of the extract. The cassava starch film with 1.0% extract inhibited the lipid oxidation of calabrese sausage for 18 days. The presence of 1.0% extract in the film reduces lipid oxidation in calabrese sausage without sensorial alteration, extending shelf life and suggesting it as an alternative to conventional plastics.