Extract from Bixa orellana L. seed: development of biodegradable packaging and biological activities

Active biodegradable packaging with Bixa orellana extract has potential for producing new products that combine natural renewable use and food conservation. B. orellana seeds were collected and their extract was produced. The packages were produced and incorporated with different concentrations of B. orellana extract. Phytochemical parameters were tested in several groups of special metabolism; physicochemical for thickness, moisture, solubility, UV-Vis light transmission, color L*, a* and b*; biodegradability in soil and antifungal activity on Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Colletotrichum acutatum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The packaging showed potential for use as a new product for food, the large number of phytocompounds allows an active packaging, in addition to physicochemical characteristics of thickness, humidity and ideal solubility and use for foods that need protection at different wavelengths in the UV-Vis that deteriorate important characteristics of the product. Moreover, it demonstrated an effect with biodegradability of less than 40 days and antifungal activity on phytopathogenic fungi that cause deterioration in vegetables of agricultural interest.