Preparation and properties of quercetin‐incorporated high density polyethylene/low density polyethylene antioxidant multilayer film

High density polyethylene/low density polyethylene (LDPE) antioxidant multilayer films were prepared by the co‐extrusion method, and quercetin was incorporated in the LDPE layers as an antioxidant. The release rates of quercetin and the antioxidant activities of films were adjusted by changing the amount of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and diatomite added into the LDPE active layer. The morphologies of the films were observed by SEM, and the release property of quercetin was characterized by a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The mechanical properties and heat sealing performance of the films were influenced to a certain extent by the amounts of EVA and diatomite in the active layers, while the barrier properties of the films were almost unchanged. The release of quercetin from the active films to a food simulant (95% alcohol) at 37°C was measured over 55 days. When the EVA amounts were 30% and 40% to 50%, the diffusion coefficients, D, were 10^?14 and 10^?13 cm²/s, respectively. In addition, the antioxidant activity values of the films were enhanced as the EVA amount increased. When adding diatomite into the active layer with 50% EVA, the diffusion coefficient, D, was 10^?11 cm²/s, and the quercetin was almost completely released with a partition coefficient, K, of less than 1. Meanwhile, the antioxidant activity values of the films exceeded 95%. The antioxidant release rate could be adjusted within a wide range; thus, these active films could be used for food antioxidant protection.