Food Packaging Field Research Articles

Community empowerment for environmental and social improvement in Panancangan Village, Lebak, Banten [Pemberdayaan masyarakat dalam rangka peningkatan ekonomi dan sosial di Desa Panancangan, Lebak, Banten

Panancangan Village is located in Cibadak Sub-District, Lebak District, Banten Province. Several village residents had professions as oyster mushroom farmers and the results of cultivating these mushrooms could provide residents with an income of IDR 11,000 per kilo. During initial observations, the community empowerment team found that there were two main problems. The first was environmental problem. The environment around the village office looked barren and the air around the village feels very hot during the day. The second was social problem. Lack of residents’ skills and knowledge in the fields of mushroom management and food packaging, product marketing, and entrepreneurship, causes farmers to only sell their mushrooms in raw form. The objectives of this community service are providing education to village residents to increase environmental conservation awareness and increasing social development through training and education. Method used is through training both non-practical and practical training in plant cultivation and oyster mushroom management, food packaging, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The evaluation results showed that the training was effective and provided positive benefits for environmental and social improvements.

Effect of Layered Double Hydroxide and Its Localization on the Structure and Properties of PBAT/PPC Composites

AbstractThe blends of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), chain extender (ADR) and layered double hydroxides (LDH) are prepared by different extrusion methods. Effects of LDH and its distribution on rheology, phase morphology, mechanical properties, water vapor barrier properties and food preservation properties are investigated. Results show that when PBAT, PPC, and LDH are mixed directly, LDH is preferentially distributed in the PBAT phase. When LDH are mixed with PPC firstly and then further with PBAT, LDH mostly migrates to the interface of PBAT and PPC. The epoxy groups of ADR react with the terminal groups of the polymers to improve the interfacial compatibility. Adding LDH, the mechanical properties and barrier properties of the materials are improved and by premixing of PPC and LDH, properties of composites are further improved. Compared with PBAT/PPC blends, the tensile strength and elongation at break of PBAT/PPC(LDH‐0.5)/ADR increased by 25.2% and 15.3%, respectively. The banana packaged in PBAT/PPC/LDH films maintains good freshness. It illustrates that PBAT/PPC(LDH)/ADR composites have a good application prospect in the field of barrier and food packaging based on their excellent mechanical, barrier, and preservation properties.

Nanolignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNF)-enabled multifunctional ratiometric fluorescent bio-nanocomposite films for food freshness monitoring

Herein, the nanolignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNF)-enabled ratiometric fluorescent bio-nanocomposite film is developed. Interestingly, the inclusion of LCNF in the cellulose-based film enhances the detecting performance of food freshness, such as high sensitivity to biogenic amines (BAs) (limit of detection (LOD) of up to 1.83 ppm) and ultrahigh discernible fluorescence color difference (ΔE = 113.11). The underlying mechanisms are the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), π - π interaction, and cation – π interaction between LCNF and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), as well as the increased hydrophobicity due to lignin, which increases the interactions of amines with FITC. Its color stability (up to 28 days) and mechanical property (49.4 Mpa) are simultaneously improved. Furthermore, a smartphone based detecting platform is developed to achieve access to food safety. This work presents a novel technology, which can have a great potential in the field of food packaging and safety.

A study on the performance, structure, composition, and release behavior changes of polybutylene adipate terephthalic acid (PBAT) film during food contact

Polybutylene adipate terephthalic acid (PBAT) is an emerging biodegradable material in food packaging. However, concerns have been raised regarding the potential hazards it could pose to food safety. In this study, the changes of PBAT films during food contact and the release of small molecules were inestigated by a multiscale approach. On a macro-scale, the surface roughness of the films increased with the reduction in the concentration of food simulants and the increase in contact temperatures, especially after immersion in acidic food environments. On a micro-scale, the crystallinity (Xc) and degradation indexes (DI) of the films increased by 5.7–61.2% and 7.8–48.6%, respectively, which led to a decrease in thermal stability. On a scale approaching the molecular level, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP) was detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) with the highest migration content, and the release behavior of 2,4-DTBP was further investigated by migration kinetics. In addition, terephthalic acid (TPA), a hydrolysis product of PBAT, was detected in acidic food environments by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results of this study could provide practical guidance and assistance to promote sustainable development in the field of food packaging.

Lignin-enhanced wet strength and UV-Blocking properties of nanocellulose-based composite films obtained by casting/hot-pressing methods

We composited nanocellulose, lignin and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by using borax as a cross-linking agent, and prepared nanocellulose-based composite films by two simple and convenient methods of the casting and hot-pressing. Results showed that the molding method affected the film properties. The hot-pressing composite film exhibited smoother surface and tighter structures, while the casting one exhibited better stretchability. The composite films showed a good tensile strength (casting: 149.56 MPa; hot-pressing: 179.68 MPa). Due to the addition of lignin, the composite films were endowed with good UV-blocking capabilities, wet strength, oxidation resistance and bacteriostatic properties. The composite film has good application prospects in the field of food packaging and UV-shielding.

Advancing soy protein isolate-ulvan film physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities through strategic high-pressure homogenization technique

Soy protein-based films often exhibit poor properties, including limited mechanical strength, stability, and bioactivity, which hinder their extensive application in the food industry, particularly in edible packaging. To enhance the properties of soy protein-based films, we employed high-pressure homogenization (HPH) to modify the soybean protein isolate (SPI) molecules and sought to cross-link SPI with ulvan polysaccharide, which possesses distinctive bioactivities. The results confirmed that soluble ulvan polysaccharides were incorporated into the cross-linking system through hydrogen bonding. Results indicated that HPH treatment enhanced SPI's solubility and surface hydrophobicity (H0), promoting hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between SPI and ulvan, as evidenced by ζ-potential and turbidity measurements. Structural and microstructural analyses of both individual SPI and composite films, using FT-IR, XRD, CD and SEM, demonstrated a high compatibility between HPH-treated SPI and ulvan. The incorporation of ulvan reduced the films' tensile strength (TS), but higher pressure significantly improved it (p < 0.05). Post-HPH modification, the films exhibited increased contact angle and swelling capacity (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced hydrophobicity. Higher pressure treatments resulted in more opaque and yellowish films, thereby diminishing ultraviolet light transmission. Thermal stability analyses, via TGA-DSC, showed that U-HSPI films had improved thermal stability compared to pure SPI films. Moreover, ulvan inclusion boosted the antioxidant capacity of SPI films, especially after HPH treatment. Overall, this study confirms that HPH modification substantially influences the properties and activities of SPI-based films, and the complex films based on SPI and ulvan with improved physicochemical and antioxidant properties exhibit a great potential in the food packaging field.

Metal-polyphenol coordination nanosheets with synergistic peroxidase-like and photothermal properties for efficient antibacterial treatment

Bacterial infections pose a serious threat to human health and socioeconomics worldwide. In the post-antibiotic era, the development of novel antimicrobial agents remains a challenge. Polyphenols are natural compounds with a variety of biological activities such as intrinsic antimicrobial activity and antioxidant properties. Metal-polyphenol obtained by chelation of polyphenol ligands with metal ions not only possesses efficient antimicrobial activity but also excellent biocompatibility, which has great potential for application in biomedical and food packaging fields. Herein, we developed metal-polyphenol coordination nanosheets named copper oxidized tannic acid quinone (CuTAQ) possessing efficient antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects, which was synthesized by a facile one-pot method. The synthesis was achieved by chelation of partially oxidized tannic acid (TA) with Cu2+ under mild conditions, which supports low-cost and large-scale production. It was demonstrated that CuTAQ exhibited high antibacterial activity via disrupting the integrity of bacterial cell membranes, inducing oxidative stress, and interfering with metabolism. In addition, CuTAQ exhibits excellent peroxidase catalytic activity and photothermal conversion properties, which play a significant role in enhancing its bactericidal and biofilm scavenging abilities. This study provides insights for rational design of innovative metal-polyphenol nanomaterials with efficient antimicrobial properties.

Impact of Food Packaging Materials on the Shelf-Life and Quality of Packaged Food Products

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of food packaging materials on the shelf-life and quality of packaged food products. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to food packaging materials on the shelf-life and quality of packaged food products. Preliminary empirical review revealed that the choice of packaging material significantly influenced the preservation and quality of food items. Various studies demonstrated that different materials, such as plastics, biodegradable polymers, and paper-based materials, offered distinct advantages depending on the specific food product. While plastics provided excellent barrier properties, concerns over environmental sustainability led to increasing interest in alternative materials. The study emphasized the importance of balancing functional requirements with environmental considerations and highlighted the need for ongoing research and innovation in developing sustainable packaging solutions. Overall, the findings underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure the safety, freshness, and sustainability of packaged food products. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Diffusion theory, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Conservation of Resources theory may be used to anchor future studies on food packaging materials on the shelf-life and quality of packaged food products. The study provided several recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy in the field of food packaging. It recommended further exploration into theoretical frameworks surrounding consumer behavior and perception, as well as the adoption of a holistic approach to packaging design and optimization. Additionally, the study advocated for the development of evidence-based guidelines and regulations, implementation of supply chain traceability initiatives, and labeling regulations to enhance consumer trust and encourage the use of sustainable packaging materials. These recommendations aimed to foster innovation, transparency, and accountability throughout the food packaging value chain to ensure the safety, quality, and sustainability of packaged food products.

Paper-based material with hydrophobic and antimicrobial properties: Advanced packaging materials for food applications.

The environmental challenges posed by plastic pollution have prompted the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives to disposable plastic packaging and utensils. Paper-based materials, derived from renewable resources such as wood pulp, non-wood pulp (bamboo pulp, straw pulp, reed pulp, etc.), and recycled paper fibers, are distinguished by their recyclability and biodegradability, making them promising substitutes in the field of plastic food packaging. Despite their merits, challenges like porosity, hydrophilicity, limited barrier properties, and a lack of functionality have restricted their packaging potential. To address these constraints, researchers have introduced antimicrobial agents, hydrophobic substances, and other functional components to improve both physical and functional properties. This enhancement has resulted in notable improvements in food preservation outcomes in real-world scenarios. This paper offers a comprehensive review of recent progress in hydrophobic antimicrobial paper-based materials. In addition to outlining the characteristics and functions of commonly used antimicrobial substances in food packaging, it consolidates the current research landscape and preparation techniques for hydrophobic paper. Furthermore, the paper explores the practical applications of hydrophobic antimicrobial paper-based materials in agricultural produce, meat, and seafood, as well as ready-to-eat food packaging. Finally, challenges in production, application, and recycling processes are outlined to ensure safety and efficacy, and prospects for the future development of antimicrobial hydrophobic paper-based materials are discussed. Overall, the emergence of hydrophobic antimicrobial paper-based materials stands out as a robust alternative to plastic food packaging, offering a compelling solution with superior food preservation capabilities. In the future, paper-based materials with antimicrobial and hydrophobic functionalities are expected to further enhance food safety as promising packaging materials.

Ultra-small gold nanoparticles embedded cyclodextrin metal-organic framework composite membrane to achieve antibacterial and humidity-responsive functions

Cyclodextrin metal-organic framework (CD-MOF) is an edible and porous material that can serve as a template for synthesizing small-sized metal nanoparticles. However, its highly hydrophilic nature has limited its wider application. Herein, ultra-small gold nanoparticles (U-AuNPs) were loaded into CD-MOF to produce a composite material Au@CD-MOF. The CD-MOF was utilized as a template to control the size of the AuNPs. The synthesized Au@CD-MOF was easily dispersible in aqueous medium and its released U-AuNPs exhibited effective water dispersion stability within 120 days. Additionally, compared to gold nanoparticles prepared using traditional methods (T-AuNPs), the U-AuNPs exhibited superior antibacterial properties. Furthermore, hydrophilic Au@CD-MOF was incorporated into a hydrophobic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix (Au@CD-MOF/PDMS) to achieve a humidity-responsive antibacterial function. The composite membrane exhibited remarkable responsiveness to humidity, showing almost no release of U-AuNPs at 0 % humidity. However, it exhibited approximately 89 % release within 1 h, and complete release of U-AuNPs was observed within 4 h under 100 % humidity. These findings highlight the successful preparation of a humidity-responsive antibacterial composite membrane, which has great potential applications in various scenarios, particularly in the field of antibacterial food packaging.

Enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant activities of chlorogenic acid loaded sweet whey/starch active films for edible food packaging

Starch and whey protein are potential biomaterials for the development of biodegradable and edible food packaging. In this study, chlorogenic acid (CGA), an eco-friendly natural extract, was firstly added to sweet whey/starch matrix as a bioactive compound to develop biodegradable active packaging materials. The results showed that when the ratio between starch and sweet whey was 10:1, water resistance and toughness of sweet whey/starch blend films were improved significantly. After the addition of CGA, the active films showed excellent UV barrier, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. When the addition of CGA reached 3%, UV barrier (at 315 nm), antibacterial (against Escherichia coli) and antioxidant (ABTS method) properties of the active films were increased by 54.6%, 47.5% and 74.5% compared with sweet whey/starch matrix. The presence of CGA could form new hydrogen bonds in the matrix and affect the interactions between sweet whey and starch, which increased swelling rate and toughness of the active films. Preservation experiments of fresh bananas could indicate that the presence of CGA can effectively exert antioxidant effects and inhibit the browning of bananas. As an edible inner coating or film, CGA loaded sweet whey/starch active material has good application potential in the field of food packaging.

Multifunctional and antimicrobial carboxymethyl cellulose-based active hydrogel film for fruits packaging and preservation

Hydrogel-based film materials have been extensively used in the field of food packaging, whereas the water loss issue and relatively simple function of hydrogel films severely limited their practical application. Herein, we successfully prepared a sort of multi-functional sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/tannic acid (TA)/ginkgo biloba leaf extract (EGBL) hydrogel film (CPTE) and designed as active food preservation system. The water content of the resultant hydrogel film remains >97% when placed in air for one month after solvent displacement. Furthermore, the CPT0.1E1 hydrogel film possesses satisfied UV blocking, antioxidation (82.11%), oxygen barrier (7.91 cm3/(m2·24 h 0.1 MPa)) and controlled release performances. When applied as packaging film, the CPT0.1E1 hydrogel film could effectively prolong the shelf life of strawberry for 7 days. This work is expected to bring a novel strategy for establishing the next generation of hydrogel films-based fruits packaging and preservation with satisfied anti-dehydrating and multi-functional properties.

Highly flexible carbon nitride-polyethylene glycol-cellulose acetate film with photocatalytic antibacterial activity for fruit preservation

Cellulose acetate film, as a biodegradable and biomass-derived material, has great potential applications in food packaging. However, the poor mechanical and antibacterial properties limit its applications. Herein, a highly flexible carbon nitride-polyethylene glycol-cellulose acetate (CN-PEG-CA) film was successfully prepared by combining graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) photocatalyst with cellulose acetate (CA). The g-C3N4 enables the film with antibacterial activity, as a green photocatalyst. PEG softens the rigid polymer CA and crosslinks CA, PEG, and g-C3N4 together by hydrogen bonding, as a flexible crosslinker. X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR) characterizations confirmed the successful preparation of the CN-PEG-CA film. The mechanical property tests demonstrated that adding PEG increased the elongation at break of the film by about 4 times. The composite film had high antibacterial activity, and the bactericidal rates on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were 99.98 % and 99.89 %, respectively. It effectively extended the shelf life of strawberries to 96 h and effectively maintained the quality of strawberries during storage. After 96 h, the weight loss rate of strawberries packaged with 15 % CN-PEG-CA film was 21.83 %, vitamin C content was 45.47 %, titratable acidity content was 0.89 %, and color, hardness and total soluble solids were well maintained. And biocompatibility test results showed that the film was safe and nontoxic. From the ecological and economic point of view, the highly flexible and biodegradable films with efficient photocatalytic antibacterial activity synthesized in this paper have great potential in the field of food packaging.

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxy propyl methyl Cellulose/Copper nanobiocomposites for antibacterial and antioxidant smart materials

The synthesis of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC)/copper nanobiocomposites adopting a microwave treatment. In this study, HPMC and copper nitrate at various concentration were mixed and subjected to varying microwave treatment times (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 s). UV–Vis spectroscopy was employed to analyse the physicochemical characteristics of HPMC/copper nanobiocomposites, with a maximal absorbance at 380 nm, indicating the formation of copper nanoparticles within the HPMC matrix. The interaction between copper nanoparticles and HPMC was further confirmed through FT-IR analysis. The SEM analysis displayed microporous structures ranging from 5 to 14 µm in diameter, with an average pore size of 7.0 ± 2.0 nm. The compositional analysis was done with EDS mapping. TEM analysis revealed spherical shaped copper nanoparticles with an average particle size about 2.5 nm in HPMC matrix. Remarkably, these nanobiocomposites exhibited a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, displaying minimal inhibitory concentrations against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterium. Significantly, the assessment of antibacterial activity in HPMC/copper nanobiocomposites demonstrated their efficacy against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition to the antioxidant property, the antibacterial properties holds significant implications for their potential applications of HPMC/ copper nanobiocomposites in the fields of food packaging and biomedicine.

Delivery of Probiotics with Cellulose-Based Films and Their Food Applications.

Probiotics have attracted great interest from many researchers due to their beneficial effects. Encapsulation of probiotics into biopolymer matrices has led to the development of active food packaging materials as an alternative to traditional ones for controlling food-borne microorganisms, extending food shelf life, improving food safety, and achieving health-promoting effects. The challenges of low survival rates during processing, storage, and delivery to the gut and low intestinal colonization, storage stability, and controllability have greatly limited the use of probiotics in practical food-preservation applications. The encapsulation of probiotics with a protective matrix can increase their resistance to a harsh environment and improve their survival rates, making probiotics appropriate in the food packaging field. Cellulose has attracted extensive attention in food packaging due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, environmental friendliness, renewability, and excellent mechanical strength. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the main types of cellulose used for probiotic encapsulation, as well as the current advances in different probiotic encapsulating strategies with cellulose, grafted cellulose, and cellulose-derived materials, including electrospinning, cross-linking, in-situ growth, casting strategies, and their combinations. The effect of cellulose encapsulation on the survival rate of probiotics and the patented encapsulated probiotics are also introduced. In addition, applications of cellulose-encapsulated probiotics in the food industry are also briefly discussed. Finally, the future trends toward developing encapsulated probiotics with improved health benefits and advanced features with cellulose-based materials are discussed.

Application of thiourea polyurethane foam/zinc oxide nanocomposite for anticancer effects and antimicrobial potential

There is a continuous need to fabricate new antimicrobial agents due to the continuous development of microbial drug resistance. Recently, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) have emerged as a promising choice for developing new drugs owing to their exceptional broad-spectrum antimicrobial and anticancer action. In the current work, thiourea polyurethane foam/zinc oxide nanocomposite was synthesized by coupling ZnONPs and thiourea polyurethane foam (TPUF) to test its antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Ultraviolet–visible spectra, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential and dynamic light scattering analyses were investigated to study the characterization of thiourea polyurethane foam/zinc oxide nanocomposite (TPUF/ZnO). The synthesized TPUF/ZnO was examined as an antimicrobial agent against gram-positive bacterium (Bacillus cereus), gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli), and fungus (Aspergillus niger). The results of the agar well-diffusion test showed good inhibition zones against E. coli (16 mm), B. cereus (13 mm), and A. niger (26 mm). The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) values of TPUF/ZnO against B. cereus and E. coli were 350 μg/mL and 400 μg/mL. TEM of TPUF/ZnO-treated B. cereus and E. coli bacteria displayed different ultrastructural modifications such as separation of the plasma membrane from the cell wall and vacuole formation that led to a complete lysis and bacterial death. The anticancer activity of TPUF/ZnO was also evaluated against liver and breast cancer cell lines (HepG-2 and MCF-7). TPUF/ZnO showed good cytotoxicity activities against HepG-2, and MCF-7, with IC50 values of 77.08 ± 1.36 and 109.01 ± 3.98 µg/ml, respectively. Thus, TPUF/ZnO could be a promising raw material in the field of food packaging and provide a possible anticancer compound for hepatocellular carcinoma and breast carcinoma.Graphic abstract

Synthesis and characterization of organosilicon functionalized water-based polyvinylidene chloride emulsion with core-shell structure

The outstanding barrier performance of polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) has attracted widespread attention. In this work, a series of organosilicon functionalized water-based PVDC emulsions with core-shell structure are synthesized by seed emulsion polymerization using vinylidene chloride (VDC), methyl acrylate (MA), isooctyl acrylate (EHA) as core and vinylidene chloride (VDC), methyl acrylate (MA) as shell. Vinyl-terminated polydimethylsiloxanes (VT-PDMS) are introduced into the core-shell as modifier. The properties of PVDC emulsions and films modified with VT-PDMS are investigated. On the one hand, when VT-PDMS is properly incorporated into the core-shell particles, the Si-O bonds in VT-PDMS are dissociated, which further forms a cross-networking structure, thereby enhances the adhesion of PVDC film to the substrate. The barrier performance of the film is also improved by a small amount of cross network structure. On the other hand, the addition of VT-PDMS leads to the phenomenon of thin film shrinkage, which further enhances the barrier performance of PVDC. All results indicate that the best comprehensive performance is achieved when the VT-PDMS content in the PVDC core is 2 wt%, the adhesion can be increased to 0.527 MPa, the oxygen transmittance is 5.68 cc/m2·24 hr, and the actual time of water barrier after coating starch-based tableware is over 12 hours. This provides an effective line of thinking for the further application of PVDC barrier film in the field of environmental protection food packaging.

Tuning the structure and physiochemical properties of sodium alginate and chitosan composite films through sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) crosslinking

Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), an inorganic and non-toxic polyphosphate, has potential applications as a crosslinking agent in the fabrication of edible films. This study utilized STPP in the development of sodium alginate-chitosan composite films, with a focus on their suitability for food packaging applications. The results indicate that the incorporation of STPP led to an increase in film thickness (from 0.048 ± 0.004 to 0.078 ± 0.008 mm), elongation at break (from 11.50 ± 1.49 % to 15.88 ± 2.14 %), water permeation (from 0.364 ± 0.010 to 0.521 ± 0.021 gmm/(m2h*kPa)), and moisture content (from 25.98 ± 0.20 % to 28.12 ± 0.17 %). In contrast, there was a decrease in tensile strength (from 30.23 ± 2.08 to 25.60 ± 1.22 MPa) and swelling index (from 752.9 ± 17.1 to 533.5 ± 8.9 %). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the formation of distinctive needle-like microcrystals with the incorporation of STPP. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated intermolecular interactions between STPP and the film-forming biopolymers. The data obtained from Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) demonstrated enhanced thermal stability of STPP-loaded films at elevated temperatures. Furthermore, the films exhibited increased DPPH scavenging activity with the addition of STPP. This study underscores the potential of STPP as a crosslinking agent for the development of composite edible films, suggesting applications in the field of food packaging.

Ecofriendly Preparation of Rosmarinic Acid-poly(vinyl alcohol) Biofilms Using NADES/DES, Ultrasounds and Optimization via a Mixture-Process Design Strategy.

Green chemistry emphasizes the isolation of biologically active compounds from plants and biomass to produce renewable, bio-based products and materials through sustainability and circularity-driven innovation processes. In this work, we have investigated the extraction of rosmarinic acid (RA), a phenolic acid with several biological properties, from aromatic herbs using ultrasounds and low environmental risk natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES). Various solvent mixtures have been investigated, and the parameters influencing the process have been studied by a mixture-process experimental design to identify the optimal RA extraction conditions. The extraction yield has been calculated by HPLC-diode array analysis. The lactic acid:ethylene glycol mixture using an ultrasound-assisted process has been found to be the most versatile solvent system, giving RA yields 127-160% higher than hydroalcoholic extraction (70% ethanol). The deep eutectic solvent nature of lactic acid:ethylene glycol has been demonstrated for the first time by multi-technique characterization (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR, DSC, and W absorption properties). The aqueous raw extract has been directly incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) to obtain films with potential antibacterial properties for applications in the field of food and pharmaceutical packaging.

Exploring sustainable food packaging: Nanocellulose composite films with enhanced mechanical strength, antibacterial performance, and biodegradability

Food packaging films play a vital role in preserving and protecting food. However, due to their non-biodegradability, conventional packaging materials have led to significant environmental pollution. To overcome this hurdle, we have developed safe, innovative, sustainable and biodegradable packaging materials that can effectively extend the shelf life of food. In this study, two types of cellulose materials cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with complementary roles were combined to prepare nanocellulose composite films with high transparency (90.3 %) of a certain thickness (30 ± 0.019 μm) by solution casting method, and their mechanical properties were further optimized by the addition of plasticizer-glycerol (Gly) and cross-linking agent-glutaraldehyde (GA), so as to maintain the strong tensile strength (≈112.60 MPa) and better malleability (4.12 %). In addition, we loaded the natural active agent tea polyphenols (TPs) with different concentrations to study the inhibition effect on E.coli and S.aureus and to simulate food packaging. Finally, we also found that the synthesized nanocellulose composite films can also achieve rapid degradation in a short time through soil burial, water flushing and immersion. The excellent performance demonstrated in this study provides reference value for further replacing petroleum-based materials with biomass materials in the field of food packaging.