2 - Antimicrobial coated food packaging paper from agricultural biomass

Abstract

Recently, the research and development of novel antimicrobial food packaging paper have been accrued a considerable attention due to their ultimate advantages namely contain food in a cost-effective way that satisfies industry requirements and consumer desires, maintains food safety, and minimizes environmental impact also to increase the shelf life of foodstuff. These unique food packaging papers can be prepared through different materials such as synthetic polymers, nature or bio-polymers owing to their numerous properties. Therefore, in order to enhance the biological properties particularly the antimicrobial activity against the most pathogenic bacteria and biodegradability of the packaging material, the polymeric matrix can be reinforced with different fillers mainly biofiber, clay and agriculture biomass. Herein, this chapter book reviews the different classes of food packaging paper and their roles, manufacturing, applications and also the effects of antimicrobial agents on the final properties of packaging papers. The major aim of this review was to highlight the effect of several antibacterial agents on final mechanical and biological properties of biomass- based composites and nanocomposites materials. This chapter is divided into three parts, the first one is dedicated to the classifications and roles of food packaging systems, the second part is devoted to the manufacturing of packaging paper based on agriculture biomass, the third part concern the applications of these materials and the side effect of the antibacterial agents on their properties. From the results obtained in this research work, we can conclude that the agricultural biomass can be used to manufacture food packaging by several techniques mostly pulp manufacturing processes. Also, the mechanical and antibacterial properties of these materials can enhanced by the addition of divers antibacterial agents.