Gas Transport Through Polymer Bio-nanocomposites

Abstract

The main function of food packaging is to maintain the quality and safety of food products during storage and transportation and to extend the shelf-life of food products by preventing unfavorable factors or conditions such as spoilage microorganisms, chemical contaminants, oxygen, moisture, light, external force, etc. In order to perform such functions, packaging materials provide physical protection and create proper physicochemical conditions for products that are essential for obtaining a satisfactory shelf-life and maintaining food quality and safety. The food package should hinder gain or loss of moisture, prevent microbial contamination, and act as a barrier against permeation of water vapor, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other volatile compounds such as flavors and taints in addition to the basic properties of packaging materials such as mechanical, optical, and thermal properties. This chapter describes the gas transport through polymer bio-nanocomposites.