Chapter Three - Manufacture of biodegradable food packaging

Abstract

The design and application of active and intelligent packaging materials have recently received considerable attention due to their unique properties. Food packaging materials (such as coatings and films) fabricated from by-products may reduce the amount of food and agricultural waste and improve the economic value of the food supply chain. These materials can be designed to have good biodegradability and do not cause the same level of environmental pollution as synthetic plastic packaging materials. Moreover, functional substances can be incorporated into them to create active packaging materials, including antimicrobials, antioxidants, nutrients, or nanoparticles. Alternatively, sensors can be incorporated into them to create intelligent packaging materials that provide information about the quality, freshness, or safety of the food, including indicators responsive to changes in temperature, gas, pH, or enzyme activity. The creation of multifunctional biodegradable packaging materials may help reduce the adverse effects associated with modern petroleum-based plastics. Some active packaging materials are already being used commercially to protect perishable food products during storage.