Effect of active films incorporated with montmorillonite clay and α‐tocopherol: Potential of nanoparticle migration and reduction of lipid oxidation in salmon

Fat‐rich fish such as salmon are highly susceptible to lipid oxidation, which affects the quality of the product. The compound α‐tocopherol is widely used as an antioxidant added directly to food or through the incorporation in active packaging besides having activity of vitamin E, which is an essential nutrient to the human body absorbed from food. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the montmorillonite (MMT15A) and α‐tocopherol migration potential and antioxidant effect of chitosan/MMT15A/α‐tocopherol active films on reduction of lipid oxidation in fresh salmon. Chitosan films incorporated with MMT15A (0 and 1 g/100 g) and α‐tocopherol (0, 10, and 15 g/100 g) were applied on the fresh salmon for 8 days. Samples of salmon wrapped in films 3 and 6 (10% tocopherol and 1% MMT15A + 15%tocopherol, respectively) showed the lower values of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) at eighth storage day at 4°C. Film 6 (1% MMT15A and 15% tocopherol) showed better result on reduction in water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and controlled release of tocopherol. All the films containing MMT15A presented migration of minerals (Mg and Si) for the salmon during the 8 days. Thus, the use of this film for release of active substances is a promising alternative for application as food packaging in order to obtain nutritionally fortified foods and inhibit oxidation reactions.