Articles
Plant-based bioactive compounds for substitution of petrol-based stabilisers in packaging materials
Article number
1329_12
Pages
91 – 98
Language
English
Abstract
Urban waste, particularly packaging, is an emerging problem in modern society.
Plastic packaging materials typically include stabilising additives to create competitive products.
Conventionally, plastic materials and stabilisers are petrol-based, thus having negative impacts on the environment and subsequently on human health.
While bio-based alternatives to plastic packaging are already in development, bio-based additives are severely underrepresented in research so far.
This study aims at presenting a sustainable alternative to petrol-based stabilisers.
For this purpose, a variety of different plant species is analysed and evaluated.
Bio-based stabilisers are expected to have a high total antioxidant capacity (TAC), antimicrobial effects or a high UV absorbance.
The current study focuses on different snowdrop species (Galanthus nivalis, G. gracilis, G. elwesii, G. plicatus), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and European horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). Extracts of different plant species and fractions were analysed with regard to active substance characterisation, TAC, UV absorbance and possible formulations.
This was achieved by GC-MS analysis and photometric methods to determine TAC and UV absorbance.
When comparing the snowdrop fractions leaf, petal and bulb, leaf extracts show a higher TAC with G. elwesii leaf extracts significantly exceeding the results of the leaf extracts of the other species.
A comparable UV absorbance and α-tocopherol concentration was determined for all four species.
Compared to chestnut or thyme extracts, lipophilic snowdrop extracts show a higher TAC, making snowdrops a worthwhile bioresource.
The same applies to A. hippocastanum seed coats and T. vulgaris leaves with high molecular weights of active substances, high UV absorbances and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
While further research on migration, synergistic effects and advanced formulation is still being conducted, the present study already proves that phytochemicals are powerful alternatives to common stabilisers, offering the opportunity to create thorough bio-based products.
Plastic packaging materials typically include stabilising additives to create competitive products.
Conventionally, plastic materials and stabilisers are petrol-based, thus having negative impacts on the environment and subsequently on human health.
While bio-based alternatives to plastic packaging are already in development, bio-based additives are severely underrepresented in research so far.
This study aims at presenting a sustainable alternative to petrol-based stabilisers.
For this purpose, a variety of different plant species is analysed and evaluated.
Bio-based stabilisers are expected to have a high total antioxidant capacity (TAC), antimicrobial effects or a high UV absorbance.
The current study focuses on different snowdrop species (Galanthus nivalis, G. gracilis, G. elwesii, G. plicatus), common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and European horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum). Extracts of different plant species and fractions were analysed with regard to active substance characterisation, TAC, UV absorbance and possible formulations.
This was achieved by GC-MS analysis and photometric methods to determine TAC and UV absorbance.
When comparing the snowdrop fractions leaf, petal and bulb, leaf extracts show a higher TAC with G. elwesii leaf extracts significantly exceeding the results of the leaf extracts of the other species.
A comparable UV absorbance and α-tocopherol concentration was determined for all four species.
Compared to chestnut or thyme extracts, lipophilic snowdrop extracts show a higher TAC, making snowdrops a worthwhile bioresource.
The same applies to A. hippocastanum seed coats and T. vulgaris leaves with high molecular weights of active substances, high UV absorbances and antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
While further research on migration, synergistic effects and advanced formulation is still being conducted, the present study already proves that phytochemicals are powerful alternatives to common stabilisers, offering the opportunity to create thorough bio-based products.
Publication
Authors
T. Havelt, S. Brettschneider, M. Schmitz
Keywords
bio-based, phytochemicals, antioxidant, Galanthus, Aesculus, Thymus, human health
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