344
15 Polyesters
Cutin contains some essential fatty acids which could form extracts for human feed
supplements. Phytosterols, also found in the cutin matrix, have been FDA approved
for use as anticholesterol. Phytosterols act by competing with cholesterol for active
sites for absorption into the blood stream, thereby lowering the blood cholesterol
level.
Cutin has also shown applicability in food as packaging films. Edible films with
hydrophobic properties have been produced using cutin extracted from tomatoes
(Manrich et al. 2017). At a ratio of 50/50 by eight cutin/pectin and high pH in the
alkali range, well-dispersed films of cutin-pectin blend with good water repellency
and physical properties that match those of tomato peels were achieved. The films
remained stable at different pH and showed good thermal stability. This biomimicking
cutin-based edible film has potentials in replacement of fossil-based food packaging
films. The chemical composition of cutin allows it to play protective as well as
bioactive role as edible food packaging. It is also important that such films could be
produced using the conventional low cost, reproducible film casting methods used
in industry.
Cutin can also be applied as a coating on metallic food packaging. Such protective
coating separates the metal compound from the food. This could potentially replace
bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) resin which is presently being used for this
application. BADGE has potentially harmful effects on human health (Montanari
et al. 2014).
15.7.3 Cosmetics
The by-products of cutin extraction from the wax fraction contain squalene. These
could be further explored for production of sunscreens. The transesterification of the
fatty acids from the cutin matrix yields glycerol as a by-product. Glycerol is used in
the cosmetics industry as a skin care product. Palmitic acid is also found in the cutin
matrix in considerable amount, making up almost 95% of the fatty acids in the wax
fraction. Palmitic acid is used in cosmetics as emulsifier and in soap production. The
main source of palmitic acid at present is palm oil, a plant which only grows in a
few countries in the world, the largest producer being Indonesia and Malaysia being
second followed by countries in Western and Central Africa as well as Colombia and
Thailand (Poku 2002). An alternative source of palmitic acid using a plant source
that pretty much grows everywhere will have significant impacts on the cosmetic
market.
15.7.4 Pharmaceutical
As it is applicable in food, cutin has potential for packaging in pharmaceutical products. The protective edible lipophilic coating property could be applied for capsules and tablets and other applications which require a biodegradable protective
15 Polyesters
Cutin contains some essential fatty acids which could form extracts for human feed
supplements. Phytosterols, also found in the cutin matrix, have been FDA approved
for use as anticholesterol. Phytosterols act by competing with cholesterol for active
sites for absorption into the blood stream, thereby lowering the blood cholesterol
level.
Cutin has also shown applicability in food as packaging films. Edible films with
hydrophobic properties have been produced using cutin extracted from tomatoes
(Manrich et al. 2017). At a ratio of 50/50 by eight cutin/pectin and high pH in the
alkali range, well-dispersed films of cutin-pectin blend with good water repellency
and physical properties that match those of tomato peels were achieved. The films
remained stable at different pH and showed good thermal stability. This biomimicking
cutin-based edible film has potentials in replacement of fossil-based food packaging
films. The chemical composition of cutin allows it to play protective as well as
bioactive role as edible food packaging. It is also important that such films could be
produced using the conventional low cost, reproducible film casting methods used
in industry.
Cutin can also be applied as a coating on metallic food packaging. Such protective
coating separates the metal compound from the food. This could potentially replace
bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) resin which is presently being used for this
application. BADGE has potentially harmful effects on human health (Montanari
et al. 2014).
15.7.3 Cosmetics
The by-products of cutin extraction from the wax fraction contain squalene. These
could be further explored for production of sunscreens. The transesterification of the
fatty acids from the cutin matrix yields glycerol as a by-product. Glycerol is used in
the cosmetics industry as a skin care product. Palmitic acid is also found in the cutin
matrix in considerable amount, making up almost 95% of the fatty acids in the wax
fraction. Palmitic acid is used in cosmetics as emulsifier and in soap production. The
main source of palmitic acid at present is palm oil, a plant which only grows in a
few countries in the world, the largest producer being Indonesia and Malaysia being
second followed by countries in Western and Central Africa as well as Colombia and
Thailand (Poku 2002). An alternative source of palmitic acid using a plant source
that pretty much grows everywhere will have significant impacts on the cosmetic
market.
15.7.4 Pharmaceutical
As it is applicable in food, cutin has potential for packaging in pharmaceutical products. The protective edible lipophilic coating property could be applied for capsules and tablets and other applications which require a biodegradable protective