Novel Active Food Packaging Films Based on Whey Protein Incorporated with Seaweed Extract: Development, Characterization, and Application in Fresh Poultry Meat

Algae and seaweeds are used in cookery since the beginnings of human civilization, par ticularly in several Asian cultures. Phenolic compounds are secondary metabolites produced by aquatic and terrestrial plants for their natural defense against external stimuli, which possess pow erful antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that can be very important for the food industry. The main objective of this study was to develop a whey protein concentrate active coating, incorporated with a Fucus vesiculosus extract in order to delay the lipid oxidation of chicken breasts. Ten hydroeth anolic extracts from F. vesiculosus were obtained and their antioxidant capacity was evaluated through two antioxidant activity assays: the DPPH radical scavenging activity and β-carotene bleaching assay. The total content in phenolics compounds was also determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. The chosen extract was the one obtained from the freeze-dried F. vesiculosus using 75% (v/v) ethanol as extraction solvent. The extract was successfully incorporated into a whey protein film and successfully strengthened the thickness, tensile strength, and elastic modulus. The active film also was able to inhibit the chicken breasts lipid oxidation for 25 days of storage.This work was supported by the research project “i.FILM–Multifunctional Films for Intel ligent and Active Applications” (n° 17921) cofounded by European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program under the “Portugal 2020” Program, Call no. 33/SI/2015, Co-Promotion Projects and by the Integrated Pro gramme of SR&TD “Smart Valorization of Endogenous Marine Biological Resources Under a Changing Climate” (reference Centro-01-0145-FEDER-000018), co-funded by Centro 2020 program, Portugal 2020, European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund. Mariana An drade is grateful for her research grant (SFRH/BD/138730/2018) funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT). João Reboleira is grateful for his research grant (2016/iFILM/BM) in the frame of iFILM project. This work was supported by MEtRICs unit which is financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UIDB/04077/2020) and by CECA unit which is financed from FCT/MCTES through national funds (UIDB/00211/2020) [v.souza@campus.fct.unl.pt (V.G.L.S.); ala@fct.unl.pt (A.L.F.); ana.silva@iniav.pt (A.S.S.)]. This work was supported by the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry - LAQV which is financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/50006/2020)