Effect of the Presence of Bioactive Compounds Embedded into Active Packaging Films on Their Mechanical and Barrier Properties

Active natural additives can be loaded into bio-active packaging films in order to impart new functionalities and to broaden their potential application fields. However, they modify the film structure and properties, thus in this chapter, the authors aim to review the influence of the incorporation of natural additives and (bio)active compounds on the properties of active films potentially used as packaging materials able to prolong the shelf-life of packaged foodstuff. The chapter is focused on the effect of several active substances on mechanical behavior and barrier properties of active packaging materials, namely on their tensile stress, elastic modulus and elongation at break as well as oxygen, water vapor and UV light barrier properties. Several categories of (bio)active compounds are reviewed and particular attention is paid to active packaging films based on both polyolefin and biodegradable/bio-based polymers ...