Alternative Packaging Materials Research Articles

Fabrication of collagen-sodium alginate based antibacterial and edible packaging material: Performance evaluation using Entropy-Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo)

In this research, we developed two alternative packaging materials: collagen-sodium alginate-pomegranate peel powder (CSP) and collagen-sodium alginate-chitosan (CSC), leveraging solid waste from both the leather and food industries. A comparative analysis was done between CSP and CSC film to evaluate their efficacy and potentiality as sustainable packaging material. CSC film showed reduced water solubility (39.4 %), water vapor transmission rate (27.3 gh-1m-2), and opacity (0.6 A600/mm) along with improved contact angle (69.7°) compared to CSP film. However, CSP film exhibited improved mechanical strength (10.9 MPa) and biodegradability (72.1 %) along with reduced oxygen permeability (0.6 meq/kg) compared to CSC film. Furthermore, CSP and CSC films showed significant inhibitory effect against two commonly available pathogen strains. A hybrid Entropy-Combined Compromise Solution (CoCoSo) analysis results demonstrated the superior performance of CSC films (γi=3.049) as packaging material. The edibility of the film was confirmed through pathogen test, in vitro cytotoxicity and stimulated digestibility assays. Additionally, from the thermal analysis it is apparent that the optimum degradation temperature for CSC film was 584 °C which is higher than any other green packaging material reported in the literature. Therefore, this study can pave the way for the fabrication of thermally stable edible packaging material from waste sources.

Eco Friendly Pharmaceutical Packaging

Abstract: Concerns over environmental contamination have been raised by the use of nonbiodegradable and non-renewable materials such as glass, plastics, and metals in packaging applications. With the goal of lessening the environmental impact of petroleum-based packaging materials, an extensive amount of research has been conducted to find alternative packaging materials. Due to their biodegradability, studies have shown that using bio-polymer-based materials can reduce the amount of packaging waste produced, which could partially address the issue of trash disposal. This review article is mainly focused on eco-friendly biodegradable material that can replace nonbiodegradable pharmaceutical packaging material. These materials come from natural resources like proteins, carbohydrates, etc. that have negligible to no negative effects on the environment and organisms that depend on it. This article depicts how we can replace the existing non-biodegradable plastics with eco-friendly material as the use of pharmaceutical packaging material also plays a crucial role in the therapeutic performance of pharmaceutical products.

Water-resistant properties improvement of aluminium oxide nanoparticles treated kraft paper by sparking process

This study aims to improve the hydrophobicity of non-sizing Kraft paper (KP) surfaces using nanoparticle coating through the sparking process. The aluminium oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) were used for surface modification on KP through the sparking process, optimizing with varying sparking cycles (5–20 times), annealing temperatures (60–120 °C), and annealing times (1–3 h). Then, the Al2O3 NPs treated KP were examined by XRD, FT–IR, SEM, EDX, and AFM, respectively. The water contact angle (CA) was used to examine the water-resistant properties of the treated KP. The treated KP with varying sparking cycles up to 15 times showed higher surface coverage and enhanced fine roughness surface on the treated KP. The fine roughness surface of KP induced hydrophobicity (126° of CA) on the surface of KP at 15 sparking cycles. Similarly, the higher CA for hydrophobicity surface on treated KP from varying temperatures and times of the annealing process was demonstrated at 120° for 3 h. Therefore, the treated KP with 15 times of sparking cycle, annealing temperature at 120 °C for 3 h was defined as the optimized condition in this work. Furthermore, the developments of hydrophobicity and superhydrophobicity on the treated KP with CA at 135 and 155° were observed for the non-sizing and sizing KP, respectively. This indicated that the increased surface roughness and reduced surface energy of the treated KP simultaneously delayed the water absorption times on the KP surface. Consequently, the nano-treating of Al2O3 NPs using the sparking process shows the promising feature of inducing superhydrophobicity on the KP surface, which can produce a water-repellent corrugated box as an alternative packaging material.

Efficient cellulose dissolution and derivatization enabled by oxalic/sulfuric acid for high-performance cellulose films as food packaging

The performance of cellulose-based materials is highly dependent on the choice of solvent systems. Exceptionally, cellulose dissolution and derivatization by efficient solvent have been considered as a key factor for large-scale industrial applications of cellulose. However, cellulose dissolution and derivatization often requires harsh reaction conditions, high energy consumption, and complex solubilizing, resulting in environmental impacts and low practical value. Here we address these limitations by using a low-temperature oxalic acid/sulfuric acid solvent to enable cellulose dissolution and derivatization for high-performance cellulose films. The dissolution and derivatization mechanism of the mixed acid is studied, demonstrating that cellulose is firstly socked by oxalic acid, then more hydrogen bonds ionized by sulfuric acid break cellulose chain, and finally the esterification reaction between oxalic acid and cellulose is catalyzed by sulfuric acid. Solutions containing 8 %–10 % cellulose are obtained and can be stored for a long time at −18 °C without significant degradation. Moreover, the cellulose film exhibits a higher tensile strength of up to 66.1 MPa, thermal stability, and degree of polymerization compared to that fabricated by sulfuric acid. These unique advantages provide new paths to utilize renewable resources for alternative food packaging materials at an industrial scale.

Effect of a Chitosan-Based Packaging Material on the Domestic Storage of “Ready-to-Cook” Meat Products: Evaluation of Biogenic Amines Production, Phthalates Migration, and In Vitro Antimicrobic Activity’s Impact on Aspergillus Niger

The consumption of “ready-to-cook” foods has been experiencing rapid expansion due to modern lifestyles, and they are often sold in economical multipacks. These foods necessitate packaging that maintains their quality for extended periods of time during home storage once the original packaging is opened. This study evaluates a chitosan-based film derived from low- and high-molecular-weight (MW) chitosan in acetic acid without synthetic additives as an alternative packaging material for “ready-to-cook” beef burgers. The burgers were stored at 8 °C after being removed from their sales packaging. A commercial polyethylene (PE) film designed for food use, devoid of polyvinylchloride (PVC) and additives, served as the reference material. The production of six biogenic amines (BAs), indicative of putrefactive processes, was monitored. Additionally, the release of four phthalates (PAEs), unintentionally present in the packaging films, was assessed using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS). Microbiological tests were conducted to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of the packaging against Aspergillus Niger NRR3112. The results showed that the chitosan-based films, particularly those with low MW (LMW), exhibited superior meat preservation compared to the PE films. Furthermore, they released PAEs below legal limits and demonstrated the complete inhibition of fungal growth. These findings highlight the potential of chitosan-based packaging as a viable and effective option for extending the shelf-life and maintaining the quality of “ready-to-cook” meat products during domestic storage.

Periodate oxidation of nanofibrillated cellulose films for active packaging applications

An alternative packaging material based on cellulose that possesses excellent barrier properties and is potentially useful for active packaging has been developed. Cellulose nanofibril was efficiently and selectively oxidized with sodium periodate generating reactive aldehyde groups. These groups formed hemiacetal and hemialdal bonds during film formation and, consequently, highly transparent, elastic and strong films were created even under moisture saturation conditions. The periodate oxidation treatment additionally decreased the polarity of the films and considerably enhanced their water barrier properties. Thus, the water contact angle of films treated for 3 and 6 h was 97° and 102°, their water drop test value was higher than in untreated film (viz., 138 and 141 min with 3 and 6 h of treatment) and their water vapour transmission rate was substantially better (3.31 and 0.78 g m−2 day−1 with 3 and 6 h, respectively). The presence of aldehyde groups facilitated immobilization of the enzyme laccase, which efficiently captures oxygen and prevents food decay as a result. Laccase-containing films oxidized 80 % of Methylene Blue colorant and retained their enzymatic activity after storage for 1 month and 12 reuse cycles, opening the door to the possible creation of a reusable packaging to replace the single-use packaging.

Fluorescent carbon dots in situ polymerized biodegradable semi-interpenetrating tough hydrogel films with antioxidant and antibacterial activity for applications in food industry

A flexible, antioxidant, biodegradable, and UV-resistant polymeric nanocomposite hydrogel with heteroatom-doped carbon dots (CDs) has been fabricated using a simple one-step in situ free radical gelation process. The hydrogel formation and their physico-mehcanical characteristics have been assessed by rheology, uniaxial tensile and compression testing. The water uptake behaviour of the hydrogels is controlled by the CDs by manipulating their internal morphology and porosity. The porous nature of the hydrogels has been found from their scanning electron microscopic images which are also supported by their anomalous diffusion-based transport mechanism. The rheological signatures of the hydrogels show delayed network rupturing due to the secondary physical crosslinking alleviated by CDs. Moreover, CDs are directly influencing the permeabilites (oxygen and moisture) by lowering the values compared to their neat hydrogel films which are essential for a packing material. The biodegradability of the hydrogel films showed gradual weight loss (<75 %) within 3 weeks. The hydrogel films also have been qualified to be acted as antibacterial and antioxidant material. The shelf-life and non-leaching of CDs from gel matrices are also performed which shows its excellent capability to be used as a potential antibacterial, biodegradable, antioxidant alternative packaging material in food sectors.

Sustainable Super‐Insulating Packaging Composite from Recycled Wood

AbstractThermal insulation materials (TIMs) have been widely used over the past century. In this landscape, expandable polystyrene (EPS) is the dominant choice; however, the waste management of EPS is hampered by recycling challenges and lack of economic incentives. Concurrently, the order delivery and pharmaceutical distribution have experienced significant growth due to lifestyle shifts after the pandemic. For instance, the utilization of drones for transportation is illustrated (see abstract figure) as a prospective alternative transportation protocol. In this work, a synthetic method is developed to prepare bio‐degradable thermal insulator material from recycled wood and silica aerogel. The silica aerogel wood composite (SAWc) has the following properties: 1) low carbon emission (4.932 kg CO2e kg−1); 2) low thermal conductivity (0.032 W mK−1) with an anisotropy of 1.5; 3) high compressive strength (yield stress = 8.60 Mpa); 4) excellent resistance to organic solvents; 5) high biodegradability (49.4% weight loss after 28 days); 6) excellent flame retardancy, both of which are above EPS. The scalable, super‐insulating, and robust thermal insulator, as demonstrated in this work, holds high potential as an alternative packaging material poised to shape the next era in thermal insulation solutions.

Sustainable food packaging: Harnessing biowaste of Terminalia catappa L. for chitosan-based biodegradable active films for shrimp storage

Shrimp, a globally consumed perishable food, faces rapid deterioration during storage and marketing, causing nutritional and economic losses. With a rising environmental consciousness regarding conventional plastic packaging, consumers seek sustainable options. Utilizing natural waste resources for packaging films strengthens the food industry. In this context, we aim to create chitosan-based active films by incorporating Terminalia catappa L. leaves extract (TCE) to enhance barrier properties and extend shrimp shelf life under refrigeration. Incorporation of TCE improves mechanical, microstructural, UV, and moisture barrier properties of the chitosan film due to cross-linking interactions, resulting in robust, foldable packaging film. Active TCE film exhibits high antioxidant property due to polyphenols. These films also exhibited low wettability and showed hydrophobicity than neat CH films which is essential for meat packaging. These biodegradable films offer an eco-friendly end-of-life option when buried in soil. TCE-loaded films effectively control spoilage organisms, prevent biochemical spoilage, and maintain shrimp freshness compared to neat CH films during refrigerated condition. The active TCE film retains sensory attributes better than neat chitosan, aligning with consumer preference. The developed edible and active film from waste sources might offer sustainable, alternative packaging material with a lower carbon footprint than petroleum-based sources.

Understanding the perception and awareness of senior high school teachers on the environmental impacts of plastic waste: Implications for sustainable waste education and management

Plastic waste pollution is a significant global environmental challenge, necessitating comprehensive management strategies. The perceptions and behaviours of stakeholders, particularly educators, are instrumental in shaping waste management practices. Despite the increasing concerns about plastic pollution, there is a lack of research focusing on teachers' perspectives, particularly in rural settings such as Chiana. This study addresses the gap by investigating the perspectives of Senior High School (SHS) teachers in Chiana regarding the environmental effects of plastic waste. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Collective Action Theory, the research explores how demographic factors such as gender, age, education level, and awareness influence teachers' perspectives on plastic waste. A quantitative descriptive survey approach was employed to gather data from 56 teachers in Chiana SHS, which were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square statistics, and severity index. The results revealed a gender disparity among respondents, with 8.9% female and 91.1% male teachers. There was a total agreement on the negative impacts of plastic waste on the environment; 96.4 % preferred alternative packaging materials over plastic. Paper packing (21.4%) and leaves and or paper (16.1%) were the most favoured alternatives. Additionally, 62.5% of teachers reported occasionally educating students about plastic's environmental effects. All respondents emphasised the importance of effective plastic waste management methods. Teachers demonstrated awareness of the adverse effects of indiscriminate plastic waste disposal. The study, inspired by the teachers' dedication and willingness, recommends integrating environmental challenges and solutions into the curriculum to enhance (plastic) waste management practices among students, thereby motivating the audience to take action.

Evaluation of a Calcium Carbonate-Based Container for Transportation and Storage of Fresh Fish as a Sustainable Alternative to Polystyrene Boxes

The present study aimed to assess the effect of alternative packaging materials on the quality retention and shelf-life of whole fish under low and abuse temperature conditions. Red sea bream (Pagrus major) was harvested and stored in different packaging containers, i.e., a conventional polystyrene (PS) box, a CaCO3-based box and a cardboard box (tested as a simple alternative container for transportation and short-term storage of food). After harvesting and transportation, fish was stored in the tested containers at 2 °C for 11 days and periodically kept at room temperature (25 °C) to simulate potential temperature fluctuations in the actual supply chain. The effect of temperature fluctuations and packaging materials on the quality and remaining shelf-life of fish was determined by microbial enumeration (total viable counts, Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae). PS retained fish quality and maintained a low temperature of fish for longer periods of time during storage at ambient conditions. The CaCO3-based containers also showed satisfactory performance, resulting in a similar microbial load in fish flesh to the samples stored in PS boxes after 11 days of simulated transportation and storage (TVC load 7.8–8.0 logcfu/g). Cardboard resulted in a rapid increase in the internal temperature during the temperature fluctuations at ambient conditions, resulting in higher microbial loads of fish flesh at all stages of the simulated cold chain. The replacement of conventional plastic packaging materials with alternative, environmentally friendly packaging systems without affecting the shelf-life of fish may reduce plastic waste while ensuring the high quality and shelf-life of perishable food products.

GREEN CHEMISTRY FOR PROTECTION OF HIGH TEMPERATURE (&gt; 250°C) ELECTRONICS

A new modified “green” thermoset resin was developed and evaluated as an alternative encapsulation packaging material in comparison to traditional higher temperature resistant resins such as epoxies, silicones, cyanate esters and polyimide resins. Where epoxies and silicones have shown to provide good reliability for applications up to 150 – 200°C, high temperature applications, often required other chemistries, such as cyanate ester or polyimides. However, cyanate ester and/or polyimide based resins have recently been affected by new European environmental legislation making their usability, and especially environmental and health acceptance, not viable for the medium and long term. In combination to these environmental concerns, the current significant growth of the market for high power and high temperature electronics, also in more “consumer-type” applications, imply the need for “green” chemistry, capable to respond to high temperature (&gt; 250°C) requirements. This paper will describe new materials, based on hybrid chemistry, in line with current European chemical (SVHC-compliant) regulations, responding to the current and future harsh environment requirements. DSC analysis was done to demonstrate the newly developed green chemistry provides Tg values well over 250°C. The combination of a hybrid chemistry with optimized adhesion properties, high Tg and low coefficient of thermal expansion seem to provide mechanical features which can address the problem of mechanical fatigue of traditional epoxy solutions, which did historically not provide the solutions which often, non-environmental friendly solutions, based on poly-imides or cyanate esters could offer.

Effect of a Composite Alginate/Grape Pomace Extract Packaging Material for Improving Meat Storage.

The development of food packaging materials that reduce the production of plastic, preserving at the same time the quality of food, is a topic of great interest today for the scientific community. Therefore, this article aims to report the effectiveness of an eco-friendly packaging material based on alginic acid and grape pomace extract from Vitis vinifera L. (winemaking by-products) for storing red meat in a domestic refrigerator. Specifically, biogenic amines are considered "sentinels" of the putrefactive processes, and their presence was thus monitored. For this purpose, an experimental analytical protocol based on the use of solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed during this work for the determination of six biogenic amines (butylamine, cadaverine, isobutylamine, isopentylamine, putrescine, and tyramine). Moreover, by combining the analytical results with those of pH and weight loss measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, and microbiological analysis, it was proved that the studied materials could be proposed as an alternative packaging material for storing foods of animal origin, thus lowering the environmental impact according to sustainability principles.

Biopolymer-Based Sustainable Food Packaging Materials: Challenges, Solutions, and Applications.

Biopolymer-based packaging materials have become of greater interest to the world due to their biodegradability, renewability, and biocompatibility. In recent years, numerous biopolymers-such as starch, chitosan, carrageenan, polylactic acid, etc.-have been investigated for their potential application in food packaging. Reinforcement agents such as nanofillers and active agents improve the properties of the biopolymers, making them suitable for active and intelligent packaging. Some of the packaging materials, e.g., cellulose, starch, polylactic acid, and polybutylene adipate terephthalate, are currently used in the packaging industry. The trend of using biopolymers in the packaging industry has increased immensely; therefore, many legislations have been approved by various organizations. This review article describes various challenges and possible solutions associated with food packaging materials. It covers a wide range of biopolymers used in food packaging and the limitations of using them in their pure form. Finally, a SWOT analysis is presented for biopolymers, and the future trends are discussed. Biopolymers are eco-friendly, biodegradable, nontoxic, renewable, and biocompatible alternatives to synthetic packaging materials. Research shows that biopolymer-based packaging materials are of great essence in combined form, and further studies are needed for them to be used as an alternative packaging material.

A Survey on Bio-based Food Packaging Material About the Presence and Migration of Flame Retardants

Introduction: The present work fits in the context of verifying the safety of some food contact materials (FCMs) declared sustainable, checking for the presence of different classes of contaminants and their possible migration. Background: Alternative packaging materials have started to step in the market in substitution to plastic for several years. Most of them come from natural, biological sources to meet biodegradability and compostability. Nevertheless, some contaminants can be present and concerning for human health. Objective: To pursue the goal, we focused on brominated flame retardants, in particular new brominated flame retardants and bromophenols, as they are considered emerging contaminants, and no legislation has been enacted yet. Methods: After the evaluation of their presence in the seven investigated samples, we adopted migration tests into proper simulants recommended by the legislation. The analyses were carried out both by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: All the items taken into consideration contained detectable concentrations of the investigated compounds. The total amount of new brominated flame retardants were considered irrelevant to proceed with the migration study, whereas the migration of bromophenols was studied in deep due to the greater amount present. Conclusion: In overall, the findings obtained on real samples showed that, except in one case the percentage of chemicals migration measured was very low, to be considered not concerning for human health in most of the cases.

Edible Biopolymers from Marine Algae used as an Alternate Packaging material: A Review on their characteristics and properties

Food packaging is estimated to account for two-thirds of all plastic waste. As a result, it is crucial to discover alternative packaging materials that are both environmentally friendly and safe for human health. Marine algae are becoming more well-known and in demand as cutting-edge resources for producing biopolymers like proteins and polysaccharides. Because of their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and lack of toxicity, biopolymers have been suggested as potential sources for food packaging materials. Numerous research has thoroughly examined the extraction, separation, and use of marine biopolymers in the creation of sustainable packaging. Marine algae are also rich in protein and mineral content, they also have anticancer, anti-obesity, and hypolipidemic properties due to the presence of polyunsaturated conjugated fatty acids. The edible films enhance the shelf life of food by controlling moisture without changing the elements of food. The marine algae are collected either in the intertidal or subtidal areas and they will be dried for further process. The edible films are environmentally friendly. The edible film made from marine algae is a mixture of protein, polysaccharides, lipids, and resins. The factors which affect the properties of the edible film are the source of raw material, surface charge, hydrophobicity, polymer chain length, plasticizer type, proportion, and synthesis method. There are numerous research has been conducted to develop edible film using various matrix constituents. This review provides an overview of Marine algae, its process, and edible films, its characteristics, and factors affecting the film.

Pectin from plantain peels: Green recovery for transformation into reinforced packaging films

Plantain peels as agro-waste are generated in the millions of tons per year with no profitable management strategies. On the other hand, the excessive use of plastic packaging threatens the environment and human health. This research aimed to address both problems via a green approach. High-quality pectin was recovered from plantain peels via an enzyme-assisted and ethanol-recycling process. The yield and galacturonic acid (GalA) content of the recovered low methoxy pectin was 12.43% and 25.0%, respectively, when cellulase was added at 50 U per 5 g peel powder, with a significantly higher recovery rate and purity than the pectin products extracted with no cellulase (P ≤ 0.05). The recovered pectin was further integrated and reinforced with beeswax solid-lipid nanoparticles (BSLNs) to fabricate films as a potential alternative packaging material to single-use plastics. The reinforced pectin films showed improved light barrier, water resistance, mechanical, conformational, and morphological properties. This study presents a sustainable strategy to transform plantain peels into pectin products and pectin-based packaging films with broad applications.

Antibacterial castor oil-based waterborne polyurethane/gelatin films for packaging of strawberries

Gelatin films for food packaging have gained popularity due to their affordability, strong renewability, and high biodegradability. However, pure gelatin film has poor stretch ability, moisture-sensitive, and no antibacterial properties, which limits its use in food industry. In this work, we effectively grafted quaternary ammonium groups onto a novel castor oil-based waterborne polyurethane (CWU). Gelatin was mixed with carious concentrations of CWU to create composite films. The mechanical properties, thermal stability, water permeability and oxygen permeability of these composite films improved dramatically with the increase of CWU concentration. The composite films demonstrated good inhibitory effect on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus due to the antibacterial capabilities of quaternary ammonium compound. The shelf life of the strawberry packaged in the composite film is extended to more than 6 days. Therefore, the new CWU mixed with gelatin could serve as an alternative food packaging material.

Polylactic acid as a promising sustainable plastic packaging for edible oils

The influence of renewable packaging materials on the oxidative stability of sunflower oil was investigated to evaluate whether they could be used as alternatives to conventional plastics. Two renewable bottle materials, polylactic acid (PLA) and bio-polyethylene (Green-PE) were compared to conventional plastics consisting of virgin and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET, r-PET) and regular polyethylene (PE), in a storage study over a period of 56 days. The results showed that the progress of lipid oxidation in PLA was similar to PET and r-PET until day 28, while it was significantly increased in PE and Green-PE. Benzene was detected as the only migration compound in the oil stored in PET and r-PET, with concentrations of 0.153 ± 0.027 µg/g and 0.187 ± 0.024 µg/g after 56 days of storage. The study concluded that PLA could be used as an alternative packaging material for edible oils to replace PET.

Perceptions Towards No Single-Use Plastic Policy: The Case of Casual Dining Restaurants

Environmental challenges are becoming a never-ending source of study. Many nations are currently focusing on environmentally friendly policies. In the Philippines, Republic Act No. 9003 established an ecological solid waste management program. In 2020, the municipality of Odiongan, Romblon enforced the "no single-use plastics" ordinance in all businesses, including restaurants. The goal of this research was to discover local green rules that apply to casual dining restaurant businesses. It also sought to establish how participants felt about the local government's green programs and identified the numerous green efforts and practices of selected restaurants as well as the impact of green policies on their operations as viewed by the owners/managers. The descriptive-qualitative approach using interview as a data collection method was used. Results show that the town of Odiongan is facing several challenges in properly implementing its green initiatives such as the availability and durability of low-cost alternative packaging materials. The policy on "no single-use plastics" needs to be understood more by casual dining restaurant owners and the general public.