Abstract

The effect of murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) leaves extract on water vapor permeability (WVP) and gas permeability (GP) of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-based films was studied. Two ecotypes of murta leaves "Soloyo Grande" (SG) and "Soloyo Chico" (SC), were analyzed for their composition (HPLC-MS) and SC extract revealed a higher concentration of flavonols than the SG extract. The film forming solution was prepared with 2 g of CMC, 0.4 ml of glycerol and 0.5 ml of sunflower oil in 100 ml of water (Control), 50 ml of water and 50 ml of each exctract (SC50 or SG50) and 100 ml of each extract (SC 100 or SG 100). The addition of murta leaves extract modified the WVP and GP of the films. The WVP decreased significantly (P≤0.05) with the incorporation of SG extract in the film but not with the SC extract (P>0.05). The CO 2 and O 2 permeability of the films were influenced by the kind and concentration of murta leaves extract used. The CO 2 permeability, with SG extract was higher than without extract (P≤0.05) and with SC extract was not modified. The O 2 permeability with murta leaves extract were lower than without extract. Therefore, it is possible to consider that films with SC acts only as barrier to the oxygen, but with SG the water vapor and gas barrier properties were modified, being more permeable to the CO 2 and acting as barrier to O 2 and water vapor. © 2006 Swiss Society of Food Science and Technology.