Polysaccharides as Carriers and Protectors of Additives and Bioactive Compounds in Foods

Abstract

Abstract The high demands of consumers by microbiologically safer and healthier foods, with longer shelf-life, better conveniences, smaller packages and friendly environmentally have forced to the food industry at developing new packaging strategies. Currently, the food industry has a wide range of non-edible polypropylene- and polyethylene-based packaging materials that can to serve as protection to food of the environmental. Nonetheless, new packaging strategies are being tested on several food products (meat and meat products, dairy products, fruits and vegetables). One of them is the use of polysaccharide-based edible films and coatings, which can potentially serve as packaging material to control moisture transfer, gas exchange, or oxidation processes. However, their major advantages are focused in their capacities as carrier of additives and bioactive compounds incorporated into the polymer matrix, for keeping or enhancing the food safety and quality, and even nutritional and sensory attributes. Polysaccharides can be regarded as key ingredients for the production of bio-based materials due to the biodegradability and biocompatibility that they posses. In addition, polysaccharides can also serve as material for preserving and protecting bioactive compounds through microencapsulation. This chapter will discuss the use of polysaccharides as carriers and protectors of additives and bioactive compounds, including the recent advances in the incorporation of antimicrobials, antioxidants, antisoftening and nutraceuticals compounds to improve the safety, quality and functionality of the foods.

Keywords: Polysaccharides, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antisoftening, nutraceuticals, edible film and coating, microencapsulation