Characterization of polymeric films with addition of red pitaya pulp (Hylocerus Polyrhizus)

Abstract

Pitaya is a fruit of epiphyte cacti of the genus Hylocereus, and can be found more easily in Brazilian territory in two different species: White Pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) red bark and white pulp and Red Pitaya (Hylocerus Polyrhizus) and red pulp. The objective of the work was to make polymeric films with the addition of red pitaya pulp in order to detect possible properties of the pulp, that when inserted in the films, give it relevant characteristics for future active packaging. Three different formulations were made: the first formulation containing only 2% chitosan (by weight); the second formulation containing 2% chitosan plus 1mL of pulp; the third formulation containing 2% chitosan, plus 5mL of pulp. In order to characterize the three film formulations, the following analyzes were performed: Thickness, Water Vapor Permeability (PVA), moisture content and water solubility. At the end, it was observed that the addition of different concentrations of pulp changed the characteristics of biopolymer films.