Buriti oil and natural surfactant improve the properties of cassava starch and carboxymethylcellulose films

Due to the environmental problem related to the disposal of non‐biodegradable packaging and its aggravation during the COVID‐19 pandemic, buriti oil (BO) and Yucca schidigera (YS) surfactant were added to the cassava starch and carboxymethylcellulose films to create a new emulsified biofilm with better properties. The influence of BO and YS on mechanical and barrier properties was evaluated. All properties differed significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the base film. Incorporation of BO and YS increased tensile strength by 1.100% and opacity by 375% and reduced elongation. In addition, the two variables generated a reduction in water vapour permeability (~47%) and water solubility (~70%), making the films less hydrophilic. Both attenuated total reflectance (ATR)–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were able to generate important correlations, observing the effects of BO and YS on the uniformity and cohesion of the structures of the emulsified films. Overall, the emulsified films showed great potential for application as primary and/or secondary packaging.