Biodegradable form stable phase change material for cold storage packaging of meat

In this study, tetradecane was selected as a phase change material (PCM) to provide a thermal buffering system for meat packaging. Firstly, tetradecane was capsulated within a calcium alginate shell; then the conditions for achieving the highest efficiency were obtained. The capsules were characterized using Scanning electron microscopy, Thermo-gravimetric analysis and Differential scanning calorimetry. The results revealed the stability of the thermal properties of the encapsulated PCMs and the efficient capsulation of tetradecane in the capsules. Next, the alginate films were prepared using various concentrations of sodium alginate (SA) and CaCl₂ incorporated with capsulated tetradecane. Observations indicated that the film prepared with 5% SA and 12% CaCl₂ had the least leakage and the best structural integration during phase change cycles and storage at 25 °C. The use of PCM-incorporated packages could successfully delay the meat temperature elevation during phase change cycles and incubation at 25 °C. After 7.5 h incubation at 25 °C and 15 phase change cycles, PCM-incorporated samples had lower weight loss and higher hardness, gumminess and chewiness as compared to the control. Further, the physicochemical parameters of the meat in PCM-incorporated package were less changed, as compared to the fresh sample. So, the prepared package could be effectively used in meat packaging.