Fish-Based Biopolymer Complex Coacervate Coating for Improved Paper Oxygen and Water Barrier

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biotechnology
• Sustainable Packaging

Background:

• Current food packaging relies heavily on non-sustainable materials, contributing to environmental waste.
• Paper-based packaging is renewable but lacks sufficient barrier properties against oxygen, grease, and water vapor.
• Developing sustainable alternatives with enhanced barrier functions is crucial for reducing food waste and environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a sustainable, biobased coating for paper packaging.
• To improve the barrier properties of kraft paper against common permeants.
• To explore the use of waste biopolymers (gelatin and DNA) for advanced food packaging applications.

Main Methods:

• A complex coacervate coating was formulated using waste biopolymers: gelatin and DNA.
• The coating was applied to kraft paper.
• The coated paper underwent thermal curing to enhance barrier performance.

Main Results:

• The biobased coating significantly improved the barrier properties of kraft paper.
• Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) decreased by 83% after coating and curing.
• Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) decreased by 99% after coating and curing.

Conclusions:

• The gelatin-DNA complex coacervate coating offers excellent barrier properties for paper packaging.
• This fully biobased coating is a highly promising, sustainable alternative to conventional packaging materials.
• The developed coating effectively addresses the limitations of paper in food packaging, reducing food waste and environmental impact.