Food Packaging Research Articles

A Review of Chitosan-Based Materials for Biomedical, Food, and Water Treatment Applications

Chitosan, a natural biopolymer with excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and modifiable structure, has broad applications in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, food packaging, and environmental technology. Its abundance, solubility in acidic solutions, and capacity for chemical modification make it highly adaptable for creating specialized derivatives with enhanced properties. Recent advances have demonstrated chitosan’s efficacy in composite systems for tissue regeneration, drug delivery, and antimicrobial applications. This review examines chitosan’s unique properties, with a focus on its antibacterial activity as influenced by factors like pH, concentration, molecular weight, and deacetylation degree. Additionally, chitosan’s potential as a sustainable, non-toxic material for eco-friendly packaging and water treatment is explored, highlighting the growing interest in chitosan composites with other polymers and metallic nanoparticles for enhanced biomedical and environmental applications.

A Review on Biodegradable Films from Banana Peel

The increasing environmental issues associated with plastic waste have sparked a heightened interest in the creation of biodegradable alternatives derived from renewable resources. One notable option is biodegradable film made from banana peels, which presents an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution. This review examines the viability of utilizing banana peels as a raw material for the production of biodegradable films. It investigates the chemical makeup of banana peels, emphasizing the presence of starch, cellulose, and pectin, which are essential for film formation. The review further addresses various processing techniques, including starch extraction, plasticization, and cross-linking, that improve the mechanical properties and biodegradability of the films. Moreover, it analyzes the environmental implications, potential applications in food packaging, and the challenges related to scalability and cost-effectiveness. The findings indicate that biodegradable films derived from banana peels represent a promising substitute for petroleum-based plastics; however, additional research is necessary to enhance their mechanical strength and commercial feasibility. The review concludes by advocating for ongoing investigation into natural waste resources for the development of sustainable materials.

A Day in the Life of a Food Packaging Engineer

A Day in the Life of a Food Packaging Engineer

Effect-directed analysis of genotoxicants in food packaging based on HPTLC fractionation, bioassays, and toxicity prediction with machine learning.

Many chemicals in food packaging can leach as complex mixtures to food, potentially including substances hazardous to consumer health. Detecting and identifying all of the leachable chemicals are impractical with current analytical instrumentation and data processing methods. Therefore, our work aims to expand the analytical toolset for prioritizing and identifying chemical hazards in food packaging. We used a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-based bioassay to detect genotoxic fractions in paperboard packaging. These fractions were then processed with non-targeted liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) and machine learning-based toxicity prediction (MLinvitroTox). The HPTLC bioassay detected four genotoxic zones in extracts of the paperboard. One-dimensional HPTLC separation and targeted fraction collection reduced the number of chemical features extracted from paperboard and detected with LC-HRMS by at least 98% (from 1695-2693 to 14-50). The entire process was successful for spiked genotoxic chemicals, which were correctly prioritized in the fractionation and non-target analysis workflow. The native chemical with the strongest genotoxicity signal was identified with a suspect list as 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and confirmed with LC-HRMS/MS and HPTLC bioassay. Toward identification of the remaining unknown genotoxicants, two-dimensional HPTLC further reduced the number of chemical features. Genotoxicity predictions with MLinvitroTox based on molecular fingerprints of the unknown signals derived from their MS2 fragmentation spectra helped prioritize two chemical features and suggested candidate structures. This work demonstrates strategies for using HPTLC, HRMS, and toxicity prediction to help identify toxicants in food packaging.

Improving Thermo-Sealing of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) by Blending with Polycaprolactone

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a biodegradable biopolymer from the PHAs family that has potential to replace conventional plastics and reduce plastic pollution. However, PHBV has thermo-sealability issues, making it challenging to use for bags. Blending it with polycaprolactone (PCL) could address this but may alter the barrier properties of the films, affecting their effectiveness as food packaging material. This study examined the properties and heat-sealing capacity of PHBV/PCL blend films (ratios: 60/40, 50/50, and 40/60), obtained by melt blending and compression moulding. Both polymers are immiscible and were in separated phases; the continuous phase was PHBV in the 60/40 blend and PCL in the 40/60 blend, while the 50/50 sample exhibited interpenetrating bicontinuous phases of both polymers. The permeability to water vapour, oxygen, and D-limonene increased as the PCL content rose, especially when it formed the continuous phase in the matrix. The elastic modulus and resistance to break decreased, while extensibility increased, more markedly when PCL was the continuous phase. However, the continuity of PCL phase provided the films with better thermal adhesion and seal strength. The 50/50 blend showed the best balance between heat sealability and barrier properties, making it the most suitable for food packaging in sealed bags.

Improving Antimicrobial Properties of Biopolymer-Based Films in Food Packaging: Key Factors and Their Impact

Biodegradable films derived from polysaccharides are increasingly considered eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic packaging in the food industry. The study’s purpose was to improve the antimicrobial properties of biopolymer-based films made from starch, chitosan, alginate, and their blends (starch/chitosan and starch/alginate) and to evaluate the effects of modifiers, i.e., plant extracts, plasticizers, cross-linking agents, and nanofillers. Films were prepared via the Solution Casting Method and modified with various plasticizers, calcium chloride, oxidized sucrose, and nanofiber cellulose (NC). Chestnut, nettle, grape, and graviola extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. The film’s mechanical and hydrophilic properties were studied as well. The chestnut extract showed the strongest antimicrobial properties, leading to its incorporation in all the films. The chitosan films displayed better antibacterial activity against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria but were ineffective against C. albicans. NC significantly improved the mechanical and antimicrobial properties of the chitosan films. The alginate films, modified with various plasticizers cross-linked with calcium chloride, demonstrated the highest antimicrobial efficacy against E. coli. The starch films, cross-linked with oxidized sucrose, exhibited slightly lower antimicrobial resistance due to a more compact structure. Films such as ALG6 and ALG5, including plasticizers EPGOS and PGOS, respectively, indicated optimal hydrophilicity and mechanical properties and achieved the best antimicrobial performance against all the investigated microorganisms. All these findings highlight the potential of these biodegradable films for food packaging, offering enhanced antimicrobial activity that prolongs shelf life and reduces spoilage, making them promising candidates for sustainable food preservation.

The cost-effectiveness of a cash-based transfer, specialised nutritious food, and social and behaviour change communication intervention package to prevent undernutrition among children 6-23 months in Pakistan: A cluster randomised controlled trial.

There is mixed evidence on the cost-effectiveness of cash transfers, along with food supplements and behaviour change communication interventions in improving child nutrition outcomes. To add to existing literature, we examined the cost-effectiveness of medium-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) and social and behaviour change communication (SBCC) messaging, separately and combined, compared to an existing unconditional cash transfers (UCT) programme in children 6-23 months of age in the district Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan. This was a four-arm, community-based cluster randomised controlled trial. The UCT provided a quarterly sum of USD 32, the medium-quantity LNS contained a daily ration of 50 g of LNS, and the SBCC included monthly and quarterly messaging on nutrition, health, and hygiene to eligible households. Cost data were collected from a provider perspective through the review of procurement invoices and budgets, as well as interviews with stakeholders. We examined cost-effectiveness via statistically significant differences between the intervention and control arms, and estimated as cost per case of stunting, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted at six and 18 months of intervention. Costs were higher for SBCC intervention combinations (UCT + SBCC and UCT + LNS + SBCC) due to high training costs for lady health workers. UCT + LNS achieved a reduction in stunting at a per-case cost of USDS 278.74 at six months and USD 897.15 at 18 months. UCT + LNS + SBCC achieved a reduction in stunting at per case cost of USD 846.48 at six months and USD 2324.58 at 18 months. The cost per DALYs averted for preventing stunting was USD 234 to USD 557.42 at six months, and USD 787.73 to USD 1537 at 18 months without discounting and age-weights. Although the affordability of such interventions is arguable, combining UCTs with LNS appears to be very cost-effective for reducing undernutrition and averting DALYs, while combining cash transfers with LNS and SBCC showed limited cost-effectiveness when targeting stunting. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03299218.

Recent Advances of Cellulose-Based Hydrogels Combined with Natural Colorants in Smart Food Packaging

Recent Advances of Cellulose-Based Hydrogels Combined with Natural Colorants in Smart Food Packaging

Improving the antibacterial properties of polyethylene food packaging films with Ajwain essential oil adsorbed on chitosan particles

The aim of this research is to develop a composite antibacterial film for food packaging using low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA), and incorporating chitosan (CS) particles onto which ajwan essential oil (AEO) is adsorbed. The films were characterized using various techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), tensile testing, oxygen transmission rate (OTR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and antibacterial assays. FTIR results confirmed the presence of CS and/or AEO in the films. Mechanical testing indicated a decrease in tensile strength and an increase in elongation at break with the addition of AEO, while CS reduced elongation. In the sample containing only 7.5% chitosan (PE-7.5-0), the oxygen permeability was reduced to 910 cm2/m2·day·bar due to the presence of CS. However, the inclusion of AEO in the sample (PE-0-10) increased the oxygen permeability to 2200 cm2/m2·day·bar, which is higher than that of the control sample (PE-0-0) with an oxygen permeability of 1680 cm2/m2·day·bar. The antibacterial activity results demonstrated a synergistic inhibitory effect of CS and AEO. Data from GC-MS and inhibition zone (IZ) tests indicated that while chitosan alone does not exhibit significant antibacterial activity due to its incorporation in the bulk of the film, its combination with AEO enhances antibacterial efficacy. This enhancement occurs as the oil is adsorbed and protected from evaporation during the film formation process. Overall, the findings from this research suggest that the composite film PE-7.5-10, which possesses suitable mechanical properties and significant antibacterial activity, could be an effective candidate for food packaging applications.

Sustainable Smart Packaging from Protein Nanofibrils.

Smart packaging technologies are revolutionizing the food industry by extending shelf life and enhancing quality monitoring through environmental responsiveness. Here, a novel smart packaging concept is presented, based on amyloid fibrils (AM) and red radish anthocyanins (RRA), to effectively monitor food spoilage by color change. A protein nanofibrils biofilm is developed from whey protein, which is functionalized with RRA to endow the resulting films with advanced monitoring capabilities. A comprehensive characterization, including pH responsiveness, water vapor permeability, thermal and mechanical testing, and colorimetric responses, demonstrates the superiority of AM/RRA films compared to control films based on whey monomer building blocks. The findings indicate that the AM/RRA films can effectively monitor, for example, shrimp freshness, showing visible changes within one day at room temperature and significant alterations in color after two days. Furthermore, these films exhibit high antibacterial and antioxidant activities, reinforcing their suitability for efficient food packaging. By integrating bio-based materials from whey and natural anthocyanins, this research presents a biodegradable, sustainable, and cost-effective smart packaging solution, contributing to eco-friendly innovations in food preservation.

Enhancing Antimicrobial Activity of Thyme Essential Oil Through Cellulose Nano Crystals-Stabilized Pickering Emulsions.

Essential oils (EOs), such as thyme essential oil (TEO), are widely known for their antimicrobial properties; however, their direct application in food systems is limited due to their poor stability, which affects their efficacy. This study aims to improve the stability and antimicrobial efficacy of TEO by encapsulating it in Pickering emulsions stabilized with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). Two formulations of Pickering emulsions with 5% and 10% TEO were prepared and compared to traditional surfactant-based emulsions. The stability of the emulsions was assessed over 21 days, and particle size, zeta potential, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR were used for characterization. The antimicrobial activity was tested against several foodborne pathogens, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values determined. The 10% TEO Pickering emulsion showed antimicrobial activity, with MIC50 values of 4096 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, while the 5% TEO formulation had no effect at MIC50 > 8192 µg/mL. The CNC-stabilized Pickering emulsions exhibited superior stability, showing no phase separation over 21 days. The findings suggest that CNC-stabilized Pickering emulsions are effective at improving the stability and antimicrobial performance of TEO, making them a promising natural preservative for food packaging and safety. Further research is recommended to optimize the formulation and broaden TEO's application in food preservation.

Release of Volatile Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances from Plant Fiber-Based Food Packaging and Municipal Solid Waste to Gas under Simulated Landfill Conditions.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been detected in plant fiber-based food packaging and most such packaging is disposed in landfills. The objective of this research was to evaluate the release of volatile PFAS to the gas-phase from PFAS-containing, single-use food packaging materials and from municipal solid waste (MSW) during anaerobic decomposition under simulated landfill conditions. After screening 46 materials for total F and 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH), packaging materials were classified as high or low F. High F materials included microwavable popcorn bags, natural plates, compostable bowls, biodegradable boxes, bagasse containers and eco-friendly plates, while the low F materials tested were paper plates, eco-friendly food trays and poly coated freezer paper. Summed PFAS release from the high F materials was 62-800 ng PFAS/g sample and 6:2 FTOH comprised 96.8-99.9% of the summed PFAS. The low F materials and MSW released 0.1-0.4 ng summed PFAS/g sample and 7:2-secondary (s) FTOH was the dominant volatile PFAS. PFAS were generally released early in the 123-285-day decomposition cycle, suggesting that some PFAS will be released prior to the installation of landfill gas collection systems. Nonetheless, PFAS have been reported in collected landfill gas, indicating that release occurs over many years.

Active Packaging System—An Overview of Recent Advances for Enhanced Food Quality and Safety

ABSTRACTActive packaging has emerged as a transformative solution in the realm of food packaging, introducing functionalities that extend beyond traditional passive containment. Active packaging technology intends to preserve the quality and extend the shelf life of food products via the incorporation of functional components into the packaging material. This review paper explores the current state of active packaging technologies and their applications in preserving and enhancing the quality and safety of food products. The paper delves into various active ingredients involved in active packaging including oxygen scavengers and moisture absorbers, antimicrobial agents, ethylene absorbers and flavour/odour absorbers to enhance the shelf life. Furthermore, the study reviews the fundamental principles behind active packaging, elucidating the mechanisms by which these technologies interact with the food environment. In conclusion, the potentiality of active packaging to revolutionize the food industry by augmenting food quality, safety and overall consumer satisfaction is analysed providing a foundation for future research directions.

Australian wheat and hardwood fibers for advanced packaging materials

Abstract Alternative crop fibers have shown great potential for paper applications, especially packaging. We demonstrate Australian wheat straw processing using a Regmed MD-3000 disc refiner to produce mechanical pulp fibers and assessment by making 60, 120 and 300 g/m2 handsheets. Wheat fibers and spotted gum fibers were then enzymatically sized (hydrophobized) by esterification to reduce the surface spread of water by 51 % and 36 %, respectively. Coffee pods (300 g/m2 equivalent) were manufactured using a thermoformer to demonstrate the versatility of mechanical wheat straw pulp fibers as a sustainable resource for food packaging application.

Optimisation of plasma processes for decontamination of bacterial contaminants on polymeric food packaging materials

Abstract Foodborne diseases present a global health challenge, with over 420 000 deaths annually. Packaging plays a vital role in food safety but can introduce hazards if contaminated. Traditional decontamination methods are energy-intensive or leave toxic residues. Cold plasma technology offers promising solutions for generating antimicrobial reactive species. This study optimises a plasma system for packaging decontamination, achieving high inactivation rates for Staphylococcus epidermidis (gram-positive) and Acinetobacter baumannii (gram-negative), respectively 3.5 and 4.7. Statistical analysis guide process optimisation, highlighting factors enhancing biocidal action: treatment chamber size reduction, high duty cycle, and mist injection. The system proves effective against both kinds of bacteria, with gram-negative bacteria showing higher sensitivity. The study focuses on optimising an innovative process, emphasising the process towards industrialisation and highlighting economic and environmental benefits. This investigation’s innovative approach aims to bridge the gap between laboratory prototypes and industrial applications.

Polysaccharide-Based Composite Films: Promising Biodegradable Food Packaging Materials.

With growing concerns about environmental protection and sustainable development, the development of new biodegradable food packaging materials has become a significant focus for the future of food packaging. Polysaccharides, such as cellulose, chitosan, and starch, are considered ideal biodegradable packaging materials due to their wide availability, good biocompatibility, and biodegradability. These materials have garnered extensive attention from researchers in food packaging, leading to considerable advancements in the application of polysaccharide-based food packaging films, coatings, aerogels, and other forms. Therefore, this review focuses on the application of polysaccharide-based packaging films in food storage and preservation and discusses their preparation methods, application progress, challenges, and future development directions. Through an in-depth analysis of the existing literature, this review aims to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for the food packaging industry.

Gelatin, Chitosan, and Beeswax Based Edible Packaging for Food Product: A Review

The widespread use of petroleum-based plastic packaging as food packaging has raised many concerns regarding the negative impact on the environment. The increase of public awareness on environmental problems and the importance of food safety has encouraged a lot of research regarding the development of environmentally friendly food packaging that is safe for food products, such as edible packaging. Gelatin, chitosan, and beeswax have attracted attention in edible packaging research due to their biodegradability and good film-forming characteristics. Chitosan and beeswax have also been reported to have antimicrobial properties that can improve the functional properties of edible packaging. Various studies have been carried out to obtain alternative packaging from a combination of these materials. This article reviews the potential application of edible packaging made from gelatin, chitosan, beeswax and their composites as packaging for food products.

Study of the mechanism of manufacture of (alginate) based on the change of chemical and biological properties of polystyrene

Our current research includes the manufacture of alginate material used in the field of dentistry (it is a powder material that is used after converting it into an emulsion and then solid as a mold that works to locate defective teeth in order to repair them, whether they are fixed or mobile). This is done by altering some of the chemical and biological properties of polystyrene, which is an elastic plastic (a synthetic aromatic hydrocarbon polymer derived from a monomer known as styrene). We used polystyrene, zinc oxide, calcium sulfate, gypsum, wax printing compound, and tri-sodium phosphate, there percentage are:(35%, 30% , 17%, 10%, 5%, and 3%) respectively. Alginate can be manufactured as powder, or foam as a flexible paste. Since polystyrene can be transparent in its natural form in many cases, it can be colored in different colors with polar specifications, and it can be used in many industrial and medical fields. Alginate is used in protective packaging for food, industrial and pharmaceutical products. Alginates are among the most commonly used materials in dental clinics, and they are used every day to make molds for dentures.

Enough Food to Feed the World, yet so much goes to waste!

Here we are again. In this last quarter of 2024, there have been many meetings and conferences on different aspects of the food systems. I am sure there are people who are moving from one meeting to another. What are they looking for, we may ask? I am sure they are looking for something not just new, but also relevant. The positive aspect here is the hyped attention to ending world hunger, and ending poverty as well. Clearly it is the poor who go hungry. From the last issue of AJFAND we published, there is growing interest in postharvest issues for better nutrition. Again, the question is: what is the point of pushing for increased productivity only to end up with more of it getting lost through bad management and lack of policy, lack of financing and lack of expertise?. This is where the discipline of Food Science and Technology plays a key role. From harvest to consumption, handling storage properly to avoid loss, cleaning, processing and packaging all require food scientists with different expertise. Food processors, food microbiologists, food packaging experts, food engineers, food lab analysts, food chemists, molecular scientists, space nutritionists, and many more are required. We agree there is enough food in the world to feed everyone. However, most of the extra we produce goes to waste. Also, a lot of what we produce goes towards making people obese, while others go without. And when we process it, we do not have enough expertise to make sure as much nutrition as possible is retained. Do you get what I am saying? This is the right time to engage on these crucial aspects. Let us highlight these issues going forward: capacity building, reducing waste, creating jobs, financing innovative projects, providing affordable financing, and thus addressing SDG2 (ending hunger by 2030) in a serious way. It requires political and good will all round. Our young people need hope, and there is no other way of doing this. There are many opportunities now in agripreneurship, not just to create jobs but also to feed Africa. There is no shortage of innovative minds and ideas. We need good policies and affordable financing to accompany all this. It is one good way of addressing SDG2, ending world hunger by 2030, and addressing youth unemployment.

Point-of-Care Diagnostics Using Self-heating Elements from Smart Food Packaging: Moving Towards Instrument-Free Nucleic Acid-Based Detection.

Compromising between accuracy and rapidity is an important issue in analytics and diagnostics, often preventing timely and appropriate reactions to disease. This issue is particularly critical for infectious diseases, where reliable and rapid diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and easier containment, thereby reducing economic and societal impacts. Diagnostic technologies are vital in disease modeling, tracking, treatment decision making, and epidemic containment. At the point-of-care level in modern healthcare, accurate diagnostics, especially those involving genetic-level analysis and nucleic acid amplification techniques, are still needed. However, implementing these techniques in remote or non-laboratory settings poses challenges because of the need for trained personnel and specialized equipment, as all nucleic acid-based diagnostic techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction and isothermal nucleic acid amplification, require temperature cycling or elevated and stabilized temperatures. However, in smart food packaging, there are approved and commercially available methods that use temperature regulation to enable autonomous heat generation without external sources, such as chemical heaters with phase change materials. These approaches could be applied in diagnostics, facilitating point-of-care, electricity-free molecular diagnostics, especially with nucleic acid-based detection methods such as isothermal nucleic acid amplification. In this review, we explore the potential interplay between self-heating elements, isothermal nucleic acid amplification techniques, and phase change materials. This paves the way for the development of truly portable, electricity-free, point-of-care diagnostic tools, particularly advantageous for on-site detection in resource-limited remote settings and for home use.