Food Packaging Materials Research Articles

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)-based materials in food packaging: a review

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)-based materials in food packaging: a review

Optimal Conversion of Food Packaging Waste to Liquid Fuel via Nonthermal Plasma Treatment: A Model-Centric Approach

The efficiency of employing a multifactorial approach to enhance the nonthermal plasma (NTP) chemical conversion of solid waste food packaging materials into liquid petroleum hydrocarbons was assessed for the first time in this study. The researchers adopted a hybrid approach which integrated the zero-dimensional (0-D) and response surface model (RSM) techniques. After their application, the researchers noted that these strategies significantly enhanced the model prediction owing to their accurate electrochemical description. Here, the researchers solved a set of equations to identify the optimisation dynamics. They also established experimental circumstances to determine the quantitative correlation among all process variables contributing to food plastic packaging waste degradation and the production of liquid fuels. The findings of the study indicate a good agreement between the numerical and experimental values. It was also noted that the electrical variables of NTP significantly influenced the conversion yield (Yconv%) of solid plastic packaging waste to liquid hydrocarbons. Similarly, after analysing the data, it was seen that factors like the power discharge rate (x1 ), discharge interval (x2), power frequency (x3), and power intensity (x4) could significantly affect the product yield. After optimizing the variables, the researchers observed a maximal Yconv% of approximately 86%. The findings revealed that the proposed framework could effectively scale up the plasma synergistic pyrolysis technology for obtaining the highest Yconv% of solid packaging plastic wastes to produce an aromatics-enriched oil. The researchers subsequently employed the precision of the constructed framework to upgrade the laboratory-scale procedures to industrial-scale processes, which showed more than 95% efficiency. The extracted oil showed a calorific value of 43,570.5 J/g, indicating that the liquid hydrocarbons exhibited properties similar to commercial diesel.

Synthesis and Applications of Nanocomposites in Food Packaging Industry: A Review

The current review focuses on the applications of polymer nanocomposites in the packing industry. Nanocomposite fabrication may be carried out through several synthetic techniques based on the type of material required. Basically, it is the composite formation of polymeric matrix and a reinforcing nanofiller. The nanoclay used for the modification of nanocomposites acts as a reinforcement or filler. Montmorillonite (MMT) is the most frequently used clay material to obtain the desired properties of nanocomposite. Clay reinforcement enhances the food packing properties of the material because of its properties as flame retardant, tensile features, barrier properties, and biodegradability. Among bottom-up and top-down techniques, sol-gel synthesis, self-assembly, and polymerization are the most common techniques used for the synthesis of nanocomposites. Nanocomposites derived from bio-polymers make the material biodegradable which, in turn, is one of the most desirable features for their future use. Owing to improved characteristics, clay nanocomposites form a superior class of materials for food packaging, yet much finer dispersion of nanofillers and compatibility may be devised.

Biodegradation Study of Food Packaging Materials: Assessment of the Impact of the Use of Different Biopolymers and Soil Characteristics

In this article, the relationship between the properties of different membranes (agar, chitosan, and agar + chitosan) and biodegradability in natural and sterilized soil was investigated. The membranes under investigation exhibited variations in the biodegradation process, a phenomenon closely linked to both the soil microbiota composition and their water affinity. Higher solubility in water and greater swelling tendencies correlated with shorter initiation times for the biodegradation process in soil. Overall, all tested membranes began biodegradation within 14 days, as assessed through thickness and morphological analysis parameters, demonstrating a superior degradation rate compared to low-density polyethylene films.

Advancements of Biomacromolecular Hydrogel Applications in Food Nutrition and Health.

Hydrogels exhibit remarkable degradability, biocompatibility and functionality, which position them as highly promising materials for applications within the food and pharmaceutical industries. Although many relevant studies on hydrogels have been reported in the chemical industry, materials, and other fields, there have been few reviews on their potential applications in food nutrition and human health. This study aims to address this gap by reviewing the functional properties of hydrogels and assessing their value in terms of food nutrition and human health. The use of hydrogels in preserving bioactive ingredients, food packaging and food distribution is delved into specifically in this review. Hydrogels can serve as cutting-edge materials for food packaging and delivery, ensuring the preservation of nutritional activity within food products, facilitating targeted delivery of bioactive compounds and regulating the digestion and absorption processes in the human body, thereby promoting human health. Moreover, hydrogels find applications in in vitro cell and tissue culture, human tissue repair, as well as chronic disease prevention and treatment. These broad applications have attracted great attention in the fields of human food nutrition and health. Ultimately, this paper serves as a valuable reference for further utilization and exploration of hydrogels in these respective fields.

Advancements in metal oxide bio‐nanocomposites for sustainable food packaging: Fabrication, applications, and future prospectives

AbstractThe research on metal oxide bio‐nanocomposites for sustainable food packaging has witnessed significant advancements, offering a promising alternative to traditional food packaging materials. This review briefly describes their fabrication techniques, applications, superiority over conventional packaging, challenges, limitations, and potential trends. These new materials are derived by incorporating metal oxide nanoparticles into the biopolymers and show better properties, such as better antimicrobial properties, which are vital in food packaging. The advantages of using metal oxide bio‐nanocomposites over typical food packaging films include enhanced mechanical properties, better moisture and oxygen resistance, bacterial resistance, and light protection. These versatile materials not only serve the purpose of properly preserving the quality and possibly even the wholesomeness of packed food products, but they are also environmentally friendly. Moreover, the review presents current developments and areas of use of metal oxide bio‐nanocomposites in food packaging and it also proposes future developments to meet the modern challenge of the food industry in the development of advanced packaging technologies.

Innovative active bio-based food packaging material with Cannabis sativa L. seeds extract as an agent to reduce food waste

In the present study, ethanolic extracts from the extract of unshelled seeds of Cannabis sativa L. were used to produce films in order not to generate additional waste, taking into view a circular economy. Combinations of apple pectin and citrus pectin in a ratio of 80:20 were used. Film samples containing 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 [wt%] of the extract were extruded. Antimicrobial, mechanical and barrier properties of the obtained films were tested. Samples with 0.5 [wt%] showed a WVTR of 16.98 [g/m2d]. The water vapour barrier properties of the films decreased with an increase in the amount of extract used. As the amount of extract increased, the transparency of the films decreased linearly to 12.84 [%] (0.5 [wt%]), 4.90 [%] (1.0 [wt%]) and 4.99 [%] (2.5 [wt%]). It was observed that the brightness of the samples decreased with increasing concentration, due to the presence of higher levels of phenolic compounds. Tests carried out showed that the prepared films exhibited inhibitory activity against all micrograms tested. All prepared films had antibacterial activity against the Salmonella typhimurium strain. Similarly, in the case of L. monocytogenes.

Surface Molding Hydrogel Film Initiated by ZIF-8 with Ethylene Adsorption Performance for Preserving Perishable Fruits.

The quality deterioration of postharvest fruits is greatly influenced by ethylene, leading to food wastage worldwide. Therefore, it is urgent to develop an efficient packaging strategy to reduce ethylene concentration and prolong the shelf life of perishable fruits. In this work, a surface-molding hydrogel film was created using ZIF-8 in combination with carboxymethyl starch (CMS) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). Specifically, ZIF-8 is first anchored on CMS and then rapidly cross-linked in situ with CMCS, forming ZIF-8@CC on the fruit surface (within 10 s). The perfect tight-fitting effects of ZIF-8@CC were observed on various fruit surfaces with different roughness (Ra: ranges from 102 to 308 nm). ZIF-8@CC could absorb 57.3% endogenous ethylene from bananas, and the interaction mechanism between ethylene and ZIF-8 was studied by molecular dynamics simulations, providing insights into the ethylene adsorption capacity of ZIF-8@CC. Moreover, ZIF-8@CC presented excellent antibacterial properties and achieved satisfactory ultralong preservation effects on both nonclimatic and climatic fruits (12 days for strawberries and 14 days for bananas) at room temperature. Importantly, ZIF-8@CC is easily removed, washed, and degradable. These findings offer an efficient and potential food packing material with multifunctional properties for preserving perishable fruits.

Basil essential oil-incorporated bacterial nanocellulose foam: Fabrication, characterization, and application in extending ground beef shelf life

Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a sustainable antimicrobial material for food packaging. To enhance its antimicrobial properties, basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) essential oil (BEO) was incorporated into the BNC porous foam. A spray method was used with low BEO concentrations (1 and 2 μL/cm2) based on foam surface to optimize BEO usage while maintaining its antimicrobial effectiveness. BNC was synthesized using Komagataeibacter xylinus. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were 128 and 64 μg/mL for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Listeria monocytogenes, respectively, demonstrating greater sensitivity of Gram-positive bacteria compared to Gram-negative bacteria. The use of BEO in spray form increased the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities (as measured by DPPH and ABTS methods) of foams. The absorption bands related to BEO in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the BNC-BEO foam confirmed the incorporation of BEO into the BNC foam. Impregnation with BEO at 1 and 2 μL/cm2 significantly increased the water contact angle to 31.62° and 33.19°, respectively, thereby enhancing the hydrophobicity of the foam, but reduced the mechanical strength of the BNC-BEO foams. Foams were used in active packaging of ground beef to improve shelf life by controlling microbial and oxidative processes. The BNC-BEO foam showed a slower microbial growth rate, with bacterial populations about 1–2 log₁₀ CFU/g lower than control. Meat samples packaged with BNC-BEO foams scored higher in terms of taste and odor. A significantly lower amount of BEO was used in the foam form of BNC, which is favorable for improving sensory parameters. Therefore, BNC-BEO can be applied to the active packaging of meat.

Seaweed as a Valuable and Sustainable Resource for Food Packaging Materials.

Plastic food packaging causes massive pollution in the environment via resource extraction, gas emissions, and the enduring plastic waste accumulation. Hence, it is of crucial importance to discover sustainable alternatives in order to protect ecosystems and conserve precious resources. Recently, seaweed has been emerging as a promising sustainable solution to plastic pollution. Seaweed is a fast-growing marine plant that is abundant in tropical coastlines and requires minimal resources to cultivate. In addition, seaweed is rich in valuable polysaccharides such as alginate, fucoidan, carrageenan, agar, and ulva, which can be extracted and processed into biodegradable films, coatings, and wraps. This ability allows the creation of an alternative to plastic food packages that are completely biodegradable, made from renewable resources, and do not linger in landfills or oceans for centuries. In this context, this review discusses the main classification of seaweed, their production and abundance in the world, and provides a summary of seaweed-based materials developed in the last 2-5 years for potential usage in the food packaging sector.

Supramolecular deep eutectic solvents: Current advances and critical evaluation of cyclodextrins from solute to solvent in emerging functional food.

The acceptance of nonconventional solvents as viable substitutes for traditional organic solvents has been widely recognized in order to comply with food-safety and sustainability regulations. Cyclodextrins (CDs), derived from starch, are cyclic oligosaccharides with the ability to form inclusion complexes with a variety of functional substances as the result of their distinctive structure, which enables them to effectively encapsulate bioactive compounds, rendering them highly sought after for use in food applications. In the implementing plan to achieve carbon-neutral emissions by 2050, the novel generation of supramolecular deep eutectic solvents (SUPRADES) has garnered increased attention and interest. The approach of utilizing SUPRADES as emerging solvents was just beginning to be applied to food studies. This review summarizes a revision of the current advances and critical evaluation of cyclodextrin-based SUPRADES (CD-based SUPRADES) as promising solvents for the enhancement of the extraction efficiency, solubilization and stability of bioactive compounds, adsorption and separation of food components, packaging materials, and modification of biopolymers. To meet the sustainable processing needs of the food industry, the emerging categories of CD-based SUPRADES need to be further fabricated. Herein, our review will sort out the potential application of CD-based SUPRADES in the food industry, aiming to provide a better understanding of CD-based SUPRADES within the viewpoint of food science. Formulation intricacies and scalability issues in real functional foods using CD-based SUPRADES as media need more efforts.

Electrospun gelatin/tea polyphenol@pullulan nanofibers for fast-dissolving antibacterial and antioxidant applications.

Bio-based active food packaging materials have a high market demand. We use coaxial electrospinning technology to prepare core-shell structured nanofibers with sustained antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The fiber core layer was composed of gelatin and tea polyphenols, whereas tea polyphenols provide antibacterial and antioxidant properties; the fiber sheath was composed of pullulan polysaccharides with antioxidant properties. By using a scanning electron microscope, it can be seen that the diameter distribution of the prepared nanofibers was uniform and the surface is smooth; using a transmission electron microscope, it can be clearly seen that the nanofibers have a core-shell structure; Fourier Transform Infrared and X-ray diffraction analysis indicate that the nanofibers have an amorphous structure; the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging shows that nanofibers have higher antioxidant properties with the addition of tea polyphenols; antibacterial test showed that nanofibers had obvious inhibitory effect on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli; and the nanofiber film dissolution test shows that nanofibers can be used as fast soluble active packaging. Finally, core-sheath-structured nanofibers can serve as active packaging for instant food, possessing both rapid water solubility and excellent antibacterial and antioxidant activity, making water-soluble nanofibers interesting applications in the field of food packaging.

Polysaccharide-Based Bioplastics: Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Solutions for Packaging

Over the past few decades, synthetic petroleum-based packaging materials have increased, and the production of plastics has surpassed all other man-made materials due to their versatility. However, the excessive usage of synthetic packaging materials has led to severe environmental and health-related issues due to their nonbiodegradability and their accumulation in the environment. Therefore, bio-based packages are considered alternatives to substitute synthetic petroleum-based packaging material. Furthermore, the choice of packing material in the food industry is a perplexing process as it depends on various factors, such as the type of food product, its sustainability, and environmental conditions. Interestingly, due to proven mechanical, gas, and water vapor barrier properties and biological activity, polysaccharide-based bioplastics show the potential to expand the trends in food packaging, including edible films or coatings and intelligent and active food packaging. Various chemical modifications, network designs, and processing techniques have transformed polysaccharide materials into valuable final products, particularly for large-scale or high-value applications. Transitioning from petroleum-based resources to abundant bio-based polysaccharides presents an opportunity to create a sustainable circular economy. The economic viability of polysaccharide-based bioplastics is determined by several factors, including raw material costs, production technologies, market demand, and scalability. Despite their potential advantages over traditional plastics, their economic feasibility is affected by continuous technological advancements and evolving market dynamics and regulations. This review discusses the structure, properties, and recent developments in polysaccharide-based bioplastics as green and sustainable food packaging materials.

Wheat Bran and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Biomass’ Effect on Aerobic and Anaerobic Degradation Efficiency of Paper Composite

This study is a continuation of research on sustainable food packaging materials made from locally available feedstock and industrial by-products within the Baltic Sea region. Its main focus is the impact of wheat bran filler and Saccharomyces cerevisiae additive, which was used to develop a novel bio-coating for paper composite packaging, on the biodegradation efficiency of paper composites under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. In this study, we analyzed the effect of 15% and 40% concentrations of wheat bran filler and Saccharomyces cerevisiae biomass on the biodegradation efficiency of paper composites. This research was conducted under controlled environmental conditions, with aerobic biodegradation tested at 46 °C in a compost-based mesophilic–thermophilic environment and anaerobic biodegradation tested at 55 °C in an active inoculum thermophilic environment. The results show that the presence of wheat bran filler significantly improves biodegradation efficiency compared to microcrystalline cellulose reference material. Under aerobic conditions, the biodegradation efficiency for the 40% wheat bran and yeast sample was 6.34%, compared to only 0.71% for the cellulose reference material. In anaerobic conditions, the 15% wheat bran and yeast sample showed a biodegradation efficiency of 96.62%, compared to 82.32% for the cellulose reference material.

Electro‐blown micro‐nanofibrous mats with Origanum elongatum essential oil for enhancing the shelf life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

SummaryThis study aims to develop a novel active food packaging material from hybrid micro‐nanofibrous mats fabricated from gelatin (G)–chitosan (Ch)–polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–Origanum elongatum essential oil (EO), (G‐Ch‐PVA‐EO) through electro‐blowing. The fibrous mats were characterised to assess their morphologies, shelf life efficiency, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, surface‐wetting, and thermal, chemical, and physical interactions, among other factors. Results showed that the antioxidant activity was improved with the addition of EO, this enhancement is potentially linked to its rich content of phenolic components; carvacrol and P‐cymene. In addition, G‐Ch‐PVA‐EO showed higher firmness measurements compared to the control samples. Herein, low microbial counts were noted for both mesophilic aerobic bacteria (3.76 log CFU g−1) and yeast/mould (3.91 log CFU g−1) even at day 20. To conclude, the G‐Ch‐PVA‐EO microfibrous mat exhibits great promise in preserving the freshness of tomatoes.

Phase Change Materials in Food Packaging: A Review

Phase Change Materials in Food Packaging: A Review

Exploring diet as a source of plasticizers in pregnancy and implications for maternal second-trimester metabolic health

Diet plays critical roles in modulating maternal metabolic health in pregnancy, but is also a source of metabolic-disrupting phthalates and their replacements. We aimed to evaluate whether the effects of better diet quality on favorable maternal metabolic outcomes could be partially explained by lower exposure to phthalates/replacements. At 13 weeks gestation, 295 Illinois women (enrolled 2015-2018) completed a three-month food frequency questionnaire that we used to calculate the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI)-2010 diet quality index. We quantified 19 metabolites, reflecting exposure to 10 phthalates/replacements, in a pool of five first-morning urine samples collected monthly across pregnancy. We measured 15 metabolic biomarkers in fasting plasma samples collected at 17 weeks gestation, which we reduced to five uncorrelated principal components (PCs), representing adiposity, lipids, cholesterol, inflammation, and growth. We used linear regression to estimate associations of diet quality with [1] phthalates/replacements and [2] metabolic PCs, as well as [3] associations of phthalates/replacements with metabolic PCs. We estimated the proportion of associations between diet quality and metabolic outcomes explained by phthalates/replacements using a causal mediation framework. Overall, every 10-point improvement in AHEI-2010 score was associated with -0.15 (95% CI: -0.27, -0.04) lower adiposity scores, reflecting lower glucose, insulin, C-peptide, leptin, C-reactive protein, but higher adiponectin biomarker levels. Every 10-point increase in diet quality was also associated with 18% (95%CI: 7%, 28%) lower sum of di-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate urinary metabolites (∑DEHTP). Correspondingly, each 18% increase in ∑DEHTP was associated with 0.03 point (95% CI: 0.01, 0.05) higher adiposity PC scores. In mediation analyses, 21% of the inverse relationship between diet quality and adiposity PC scores was explained by lower ∑DEHTP. The favorable impact of diet quality on maternal adiposity biomarkers may be partially attributed to lower metabolite concentrations of DEHTP, a plasticizer allowed to be used in food packaging materials.

Thermochromic Polymers in Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Patent Landscape Analysis

This study addresses the gap in research on the application of thermochromic polymers (TPs) in food packaging and their potential for real-time temperature monitoring, aiding in the assessment of food quality and shelf-life. TPs exhibit a visible color change in response to temperature variations. A comprehensive systematic review (SR) across multiple engineering peer-review databases using predefined terms was conducted. Additionally, international patent databases were investigated using the same predefined terms. Independent experts reviewed the methodology to identify and address potential biases. A total of 288 eligible articles and 922 patents were identified. After a duplicate selection and extraction process according to the inclusion criteria, four related full-text publications were selected from the initial 288 articles, and five relevant patents were selected from the 922 patents. The qualitative review suggests that TPs hold significant promise as food packaging materials due to their unique physical properties. The study concludes that TPs offer valuable properties for the food packaging industry, meriting further investigation to exploit their benefits fully.

Water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from Enteromorpha prolifera/PVA composite film functionalized as ε-polylysine with improved mechanical and antibacterial properties

The issue of environmental protection has received sustained and widespread attention. In order to reduce environmental pollution related to traditional plastics, it is an incessant demand to design novel environment-friendly food packaging materials with excellent performance. Sulfated polysaccharide extracted from the “green tide” marine pollution Enteromorpha prolifera (SPE) has been innovatively transformed into a film-forming material for better utilization. The insufficient mechanical properties and limited functionalities, however, hinder its wide application. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was blended to enhance its mechanical properties and ε-polylysine (ε-PL) was incorporated to endow it with antimicrobial performance. A novel and biodegradable film composed of SPE, PVA, and ε-PL was fabricated by casting method. We further determined the physicochemical properties of composited films. Mechanical performance test revealed the tensile strength of SPE-PVA-PL films increased from 5.56 MPa to 6.65 MPa and the E% increased from 128.8 % to 246.9 % compared with that of SPE-PVA films. Antimicrobial tests showed the excellent antibacterial activity of SPE-PVA-PL films against representative microbial species, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results of this study suggested that the SPE-based composite film has the potential to be used as a potential food packaging and wound dressing materials.

Rice starch-agar composite film decorated with green synthesized silver nanoparticles with superior properties

In this study glycerol-plasticized rice starch/agar-based eco-friendly composite film incorporated with Ocimum tenuiflorum and Murraya koenigii mixed leave extract (15 % v/v) and green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of concentration 1 mM were fabricated and evaluated the physical, mechanical, structural, antimicrobial and biodegradable properties. Sustainable packaging ought to lessen its ecological footprint and its effect on the environment. Boiled rice water, typically regarded as waste, is one of the best sources of starch. We used this boiled rice water to prepare the film directly. The aqueous leaf extract was also used for the synthesis of AgNPs via a simple, cost-effective and green approach. TEM analysis revealed an average particle size of 11.46 nm. Integration of the plant extract and AgNPs into the film matrix introduces antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) bacteria along with enhanced mechanical and barrier properties. SEM images displayed uniform and smooth surface of the films. The film containing AgNPs has the highest tensile strength of 11.4 ± 0.91 MPa with 56.8 ± 4.51 % elongation and the lowest water vapor permeability and water solubility (17.32 ± 2.20 %). This reveals that the prepared films can be employed as a promising, environmentally benign food packaging material to prolong the shelf life of the food. However, an increase in the concentration of AgNPs up to 2 mM, does not cause any significant improvements to the film’s overall properties. The fabricated films were utilized for wrapping green grapes, which show a reduction in weight loss and browning indicating the expansion of shelf life up to 12 days.