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Published on: April 7, 2023
Engineered environment-friendly multifunctional food packaging with superior nonleachability, polymer miscibility and
Xugang Dang1, Songyu Han2, Yongmei Du2
1Institute of Biomass and Function Materials & National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education, College of Bioresources Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
Researchers developed eco-friendly food packaging with excellent UV resistance and antimicrobial properties. This sustainable packaging extends fruit shelf life and utilizes green polymers effectively.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Food Science
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Conventional food packaging often lacks biodegradability and can contribute to environmental pollution.
- There is a growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions with enhanced functional properties.
- Starch-based materials offer a renewable and biodegradable alternative for packaging applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an environment-friendly food packaging material with superior water vapor barrier, UV resistance, and antimicrobial activity.
- To synthesize a novel starch-based antimicrobial agent (OCSI) and incorporate it into biodegradable polymers.
- To evaluate the performance of the developed packaging films for extending the shelf life of fresh fruits.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of oxidized corn starch-based antimicrobial agent (OCSI) via esterification of oxidized corn starch (OCS) and indoleacetic acid (IAA).
- Blending OCSI with environmentally friendly polymers: polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and polycaprolactone (PCL).
- Preparation and characterization of the resulting eco-friendly packaging films, including thermal stability, UV barrier, water vapor barrier, antioxidant, and antimicrobial assays.
Main Results:
- The synthesized OCSI was successfully incorporated into PVA, PBAT, and PCL to create functional packaging films.
- The films demonstrated excellent thermal stability and a 100% barrier against UV-A and UV-B radiation.
- Effective water vapor barrier, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus were observed.
- The packaging significantly inhibited fruit deterioration and prolonged shelf life, showcasing potential for safe food packaging applications.
Conclusions:
- The developed starch-based antimicrobial packaging films offer a sustainable and effective solution for the food industry.
- The materials exhibit desirable barrier properties, UV resistance, and antimicrobial efficacy, contributing to food preservation.
- This research provides valuable insights into the utilization of green polymers for advanced, eco-friendly food packaging.
