Sustainable Packaging Materials Research Articles

Chitosan/alginate dialdehyde trilayer films with cinnamaldehyde nanoemulsions for grass carp preservation

Chitosan (CS) cross-linked films were prepared using the Maillard reaction (CMR). Layer-by-layer casting created additional layers using alginate dialdehyde (ADA) containing cinnamaldehyde nanoemulsions (CANE) and CS. The ability to preserve grass carp fillets was evaluated along with the effects of CANE concentration on the microstructure, physicochemical properties, controlled-release behavior, antioxidation, and antibacterial activities of the films. In all films, Schiff base-induced bonds, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonds brought the layers closer together, improving the mechanical properties (e.g., a 70% increase in tensile strength and a 34% increase in breaking elongation) and barrier capacity (e.g., inhibiting ultraviolet, water vapor, and oxygen transmission). CANE can improve the antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity, and sustained release characteristics of films. More importantly, over the 8-day storage period, the fish packaged using the active films were better than those in the control, commercial PE, and CS films in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, pH, texture, total viable counts, and volatile basic nitrogen with indicator species. Fish could have a prolonged shelf life due to the prepared CMR/ADA-CA/CS film. In other words, it may be used as a sustainable food packaging material, with the performance of the film being regulated by different CANE concentrations.

Synthesis of Biodegradable Polymer-Based on Starch for Packaging Films: A Review

Due to their crucial qualities and functionalities, polymers have received a lot of attention in recent years as food packaging materials. These characteristics include non-toxicity, ease of availability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, showing their promise as an alternative to traditional plastic packaging, which has long been under investigation for its environmental impact. Given the present emphasis on sustainable development, research into biopolymers as eco-friendly and sustainable food packaging materials is critical. The synthesis of biodegradable polymers-based on starch represents a significant stride towards sustainable packaging solutions. As the global demand for eco-friendly materials continues to grow, ongoing research and innovation in this field are poised to lead to the development of starch-based packaging films with improved properties and widespread commercial applications. As a result, the primary goal of this review is to create a biodegradable polymer based on corn-starch and PVA with strong physicomechanical characteristics for usage in plastic bags.

Robust and versatile superhydrophobic cellulose-based composite film with superior UV shielding and heat-barrier performances for sustainable packaging

Replacing single-use plastic delivery bags (SPDBs) with cellulose-based materials is an effective strategy to reduce environmental pollution. However, the inherent hydrophilicity and ultralow mechanical strength of cellulose materials limit its development. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO)-cellulose composite films were successfully prepared through “two-step strategy” of lotus leaves structure simulation, including deposition of micro-nano ZnO particles and stearic acid (STA) modification. Well-dispersed micro-nano ZnO particles with stick-like structure were anchored in the ZnO-cellulose composite film prepared at 90 °C (CF-90). Due to the special structural design and strong interaction between the cellulose and micro-nano ZnO particles, the CF-90 showed higher mechanical property (a 47.8 % improvement in the tensile strength). Impressively, CF-90 also exhibited great UV shielding properties with larger UPF value of 1603.98 and superhigh heat-barrier performance. Moreover, CF-90 obtained excellent superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 163.6° by further modification. Consequently, the versatile cellulose-based material bringing a dawn on application of sustainable packaging materials for express delivery industry.

Grafting bacterial cellulose nanowhiskers into whey protein/essential oil film composites: Effect on structure, essential oil release and antibacterial properties of films

The development of bio-based primary packaging is imperative to improve food safety and quality, along with mitigating the environmental pollution resulting from the increasing production of packaging wastes. Whey protein concentrate (WPC) has received significant attention as an alternative raw material for edible films production, whereas an area of many ongoing researches has been the inclusion of bio-based compounds to formulate functional edible films. This study elaborated the development of WPC edible films fortified with different essential oils (EO) to assess antimicrobial activity against gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) and gram-negative (Salmonella enteritidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) food-borne pathogens. Subsequently, the effect of grafting bacterial cellulose nanowhiskers (BCNW) in film composites was evaluated for WPC/oregano EO (WPC/OEO) films, which showed the highest antibacterial activity. Notably, increasing the concentration of grafted BCNW entailed a proportional increase on the inhibitory activity. In specific, antibacterial activity increased up to 80% when 10% BCNW was grafted in WPC/OEO films. Inclusion of BCNW and homogenous distribution of OEO into the film blend was pointed out through Raman analysis. In addition, AFM and SEM analysis revealed that inclusion of BCNW and OEO into the film matrix led to the formation of rough films with pores. This structural change enhanced the release capacity of OEO, that was further confirmed through a release kinetic experiment. This study indicated that BCNW addition positively affected whey protein films properties, thereby envisaging the potential development of sustainable food packaging materials with tailor-made properties.

Multifunctional composite films based on polyvinyl alcohol, quaternary ammonium salt modified cellulose nanofibers and tannic acid-iron ion coordination complexes for food packaging

The development of sustainable and well-performing food packaging materials takes on critical significance, whereas it is still challenging. To overcome the shortcomings of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a degradable packaging material, in this work, hydrophobic quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) modified cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and tannic acid‑iron ion coordination complexes (TA-Fe) were adopted for the preparation of functional PVA films. The modified CNF (CNF-QAS) not only improved the mechanical properties and water resistance of PVA, but also endowed it with antibacterial ability. In addition, the synergistic antibacterial capability with CNF-QAS was achieved using TA-Fe with photothermal therapy. As a result, the modulus, elongation at break, tensile strength, and water contact angle of the prepared PVA films were examined as 88 MPa, 200 %, 11.7 MPa, and 94.8°, respectively. Furthermore, with the assistance of CNF-QAS and TA-Fe, the films inhibited the growth of E. coli and S. aureus by 99.8 % and 99.7 %, respectively, and they exhibited high cell viability of 90.5 % for L929 fibroblasts. Based on the above encouraging properties, the functional PVA films could significantly extend the shelf life of oranges for over two weeks, proving the excellent application prospects in the food packaging field.

Promoting Green Supply Chain Management With Optimal Selection Of Packaging Materials Using Integrated Fuzzy MCDM and Rl Model

Green supply chain management is highly significant to maintain environmental sustainability. The agglomeration of green components enhances and supports the business activities to practice green supply chain more effectively. Utilizing sustainable packaging materials in logistics is a step towards promoting business eco sustainability. This research work attempts to develop a hybrid decision making model by integrating techniques of fuzzy multi criteria decision making (MCDM) and Reinforcement Learning (RL). This research work proposes a decision-making method of IDOCRIW (Integrated Determination of Objective Criteria Weights) under fuzzy environment with linguistic representations to determine the criterion weights of material selection and applies the RL method of Q learning in ranking the packaging materials for promoting green sustainability. The proposed fuzzy based MCDM method resolves the problems of conflict of uncertainty. The ranking results obtained using this method are compared with the non-integrated MCDM method. The proposed combined model shall be discussed under various other extended fuzzy representations. The decision-making problem on optimal selection of packaging materials addressed in this research work benefits the business decision makers to make right choices. This hybrid model will certainly make the logistic environment more robust and also it will upscale the smart framework of supply chain management.

Flexible poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) enabled high-performance polylactide/wood fiber biocomposite foam

Development of high-performance, environmentally friendly polylactide (PLA) foam to replace petroleum-based polymer foam is crucial for promoting the sustainable and green development. Herein, flexible poly (butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) (PBAT) is introduced into the PLA/wood fiber composite, and the PLA/PBAT/wood fiber composite foam is prepared by supercritical CO2 batch foaming technology. The results show that the introduction of PBAT can reduce the storage modulus and Tanδ value of PLA/wood fiber composite, accelerate the rate of crystallization of composite, expand the temperature range for the crystallization of composite, improve the crystallinity of composite, leading to the improved foamability of composite. Compared with PLA/wood fiber composite foam, the volume swelling ratio of PLA/PBAT/wood fiber composite foam is increased to 10 times when the loadings of PBAT is 15 wt%. What’s more, the apparent density of the composite foam is decreased to 0.13 g/cm3, the cell distribution is more uniform, and the ratio of closed cell is significantly improved. More importantly, when the content of PBAT is 15 wt%, the composite foam shows a superior compressive strength (1.66 MPa), which is 7.97 times higher than that of neat PLA foam. The excellent foamability of PLA/PBAT/wood fiber composite is attributed to the improved crystallization kinetics and melt elasticity due to the introduction of flexible PBAT. The as-prepared high-performance PLA/PBAT/wood fiber composite foam will be expected to have broad prospects in green and sustainable packaging, sound absorption, and thermal insulation materials.

Effect of waste Dunaliella tertiolecta biomass ethanolic extract and turmeric essential oil on properties of guar gum-based active films

The presented work focuses on the development of guar gum-based active films infused with two bio-fillers such as crude algae ethanolic extract (CAEE) and turmeric essential oil (TEO). Besides, the waste biomass of Dunaliella tertiolecta (after oil extraction) was utilized in this study to obtain CAEE. The CAEE was extracted using ultrasound-assisted technology. The influence of varying concentrations of TEO (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) at fixed CAEE concentration on the film properties including mechanical, morphological, optical, thermal, water vapor barrier, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity was investigated. The rheological properties of the film-forming solution were also analyzed. The incorporation of CAEE and TEO improved elongation at the break value of films by ∼18% and reduced the water vapor transmission rate by ∼35%. The results of thermal stability indicated that the active films were stable at the temperature range of 25–80 °C. The increasing surface roughness, hydrophobicity, and reduction in transparency (∼32%) with UV-light blocking properties were exhibited by the developed films with increasing TEO concentration. The non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior was found in film-forming solutions. Furthermore, the developed active films demonstrated superior (p < 0.05) antioxidant properties and antimicrobial behavior against two known food pathogens namely, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Therefore, the findings of the study stipulated the synergistic effect of CAEE and TEO incorporated guar gum-based films as excellent active films. Moreover, this study could contribute to the utilization of biowaste and the development of sustainable active packaging materials that would enhance food quality and safety.

Influence of sustainable packaging material and packaging conditions on physicochemical, microbiological, and sensorial properties of cheeses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different packaging materials [standard foil: BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene)/PET (polyester)/PE (polyethylene) for upper layer, and APET (polyethylene terephthalate)/PE for bottom layer; foil 1: PP (polypropylene)/PET/PE/EVOH (ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer)/PE upper layer, and PP/PE/EVOH/PE bottom layer; foil 2: PP/PET/PE/EVOH/PE upper layer, and PA (polyamide)/EVOH/PE bottom layer; foil 3: PP/PET/PE upper layer, and PA/EVOH/PE bottom layer; foil 4: PP/PET/PE upper layer, and PA/PE bottom layer; foil 5: PP upper layer, and PP/PP bottom layer] on the quality of 3 different ripening rennet cheeses packed under different modified atmosphere (MAP) conditions as reflected in particular physicochemical, microbiological, and sensorial changes. The changes were monitored during a period of 90 d of storage at 2°C or 8°C. For Gouda cheese, CO2 content of the headspace of the packages was in the range 35% to 45%, whereas for Maasdamer and Sielski Klasyczny cheeses it was 55% to 65%. Three-way ANOVA showed that the foil type influenced the moisture content of Gouda cheese stored for 90 d at 2°C and for Sielski Klasyczny cheese at 8°C, whereas the moisture content was not dependent on MAP conditions during storage. Moreover, the foil type had a significant effect on free fatty acid changes for Gouda and Sielski Klasyczny cheeses stored at 2°C for 90 d. Sensory attributes changed significantly over storage time at 2°C for all studied cheeses as affected by foil type, whereas there was no effect of MAP conditions. In general, the cheeses packed in standard foil and foil 4 were characterized by the highest values of mean sensory attributes. Time was the most significant factor influencing most changes in physicochemical and sensory attributes of cheeses stored at 2°C and 8°C. The storage temperature did not affect the moisture of the samples during storage. In general, we found an increase in the pH value during storage regardless of storage temperature. It was possible to decrease the thickness of the packaging material from initial 103 and 250 µm (standard foil; lid and bottom, respectively) to 98 and 100 µm (foil 4) without affecting sensory attributes of the product.

Synergistic Antimicrobial Hybrid Bio-Surface Formed by Self-Assembled BSA Nanoarchitectures with Chitosan Oligosaccharide.

Innovation in green, convenient, and sustainable antimicrobial packaging materials for food is an inevitable trend to address global food waste challenges caused by microbial contamination. In this study, we developed a biogenic, hydrophobic, and antimicrobial protein network coating for food packaging. Experimental results show that disulfide bond breakage can induce the self-assembly of bovine albumin (BSA) into protein networks driven by hydrophobic interactions, and chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) with antimicrobial activity can be stably bound in this network by electrostatic interactions. The inherent antimicrobial activity of COS and the numerous hydrophobic regions on the surface of the BSA-network give the BSA@COS-network significant in vitro antimicrobial ability. More importantly, the BSA@COS-network coating can prolong the onset of spoilage of strawberries in various packaging materials by nearly 3-fold in storage. This study shows how surface functionalization via protein self-assembly is integrated with the biological functioning of natural antibacterial activity for advanced food packaging applications.

Sustainable materials in the flexible packaging industry – an overview

The article presents the latest solutions for sustainable flexible packaging materials, covering articles published in 2017–2022. Discussed, among others bio-based, biodegradable, and recycled polymers, and paper, which are slowly being adopted by the industry and are expected to replace traditional packaging materials from non-renewable sources in the coming years.

PBAT/corn zein ester blends: Rheology, morphology, and physicochemical properties

The demands for sustainable packaging materials have increased interest in a new class of biomass-derived and biopolymers, such as zein protein, which are renewable, biodegradable, and water-insoluble, with excellent film-forming attributes and appealing barrier properties. However, the lack of mechanical robustness and low thermal stability of zeins impose a major limitation on their direct usage as packaging materials. As a result, extensive modifications, such as plasticization and incorporation of additives, are typically required to overcome the inherent deficiencies. In this study, corn zein was esterified to graft a fatty acid chain (decanoic acid) and blended with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) at varying weight ratios to produce mZein/PBAT blend films via a melt extrusion process. The blends' phase morphology, rheology, thermal, mechanical and barrier properties were investigated. The fatty acid grafting on zein enabled enhanced interfacial bonding between mZein and PBAT, promoting the compatibility of the two immiscible phases in the blends. Blending modified zein with PBAT yielded balanced stiffness, strength, and elasticity without needing external compatibilizing agents. Furthermore, the oxygen permeability of the blends was shown to reduce by up to 59% compared to neat PBAT, and water vapor barrier performance was improved by 68% compared to neat mZein. These new blended mZein/PBAT films have the potential to provide an eco-friendly material that can be used in consumer bags, packaging films, and agricultural mulch films.

Thermo-compression process-mediated in-situ cellulose microfibers phosphorylation enables high performant cellulosic paper packaging

With the increasing demand for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic packaging, the development of sustainable cellulosic-based materials has become a strategic research topic. In this concept, a groundbreaking approach was adopted herein to produce phosphorylated cellulose microfibers (CMFs)-based paper packaging via a one-pot preparation step using a thermo-compression process (150 °C under pression for 45 min) in the presence of diammonium hydrogen phosphate ((NH4)2HPO4, denoted DAP) and urea. This process involves a chemical mechanism leading to the production of phosphorylated cellulosic paper with a very compacted structure induced by the hornification phenomenon. This phenomenon reveals the formation of additional and irreversible strong hydrogen bonds leading thus to an increase of the materials’ crystallinity up to 91%, and to an enhancement of their morphological, thermal stability, flame retardancy, hydrophobicity, water vapor permeability, and mechanical strength properties. To further enhance these properties, and thus their potential applications, the as-produced phosphorylated CMF paper samples were then coated with a thin layer (40 ± 1.11 µm) of poly[ethylene-co-(vinyl acetate)] (EVA) polymer. A comparison of collected properties with those from non-phosphorylated CMFs or from materials prepared using the conventional phosphorylation process clearly demonstrates that the proposed one-pot preparation method led to the production of advanced materials more effective for packaging applications. Overall, the findings associated to this work could be used as a proof-of-concept for the development of sustainable packaging materials, which could be made by following a more efficient and cost-effective manufacturing procedure than current benchmarks.

Edible Packaging: A Technological Update for the Sustainable Future of the Food Industry

This review aims to address the current data on edible packaging systems used in food production. The growing global population, changes in the climate and dietary patterns, and the increasing need for environmental protection, have created an increasing demand for waste-free food production. The need for durable and sustainable packaging materials has become significant in order to avoid food waste and environmental pollution. Edible packaging has emerged as a promising solution to extend the shelf life of food products and reduce dependence on petroleum-based resources. This review analyzes the history, production methods, barrier properties, types, and additives of edible packaging systems. The review highlights the advantages and importance of edible packaging materials and describes how they can improve sustainability measures. The market value of edible packaging materials is expanding. Further research on and developments in edible food packaging materials are needed to increase sustainable, eco-friendly packaging practices that are significant for environmental protection and food safety.

Bio‐based multilayer paperboard for sustainable packaging application

AbstractBio‐based packaging materials are an emerging environment‐friendly alternative to conventional plastic food packaging materials, at least for some applications. The innovation of this work was to develop a sustainable cellulosic packaging material based on chitosan/palmitic acid/activated carbon coating with potential applications for single‐use food packaging. The study developed a multilayer paperboard (MPB), evaluating the effects of a paperboard surface coating by chitosan (2.0% w/w), palmitic acid (1.8% w/w), and activated carbon (1.2% w/w) applied in three coating layers. The water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of coated paperboard was reduced compared to uncoated paperboard, associated with the coating suspension filling of the pores of the cellulosic matrix, the palmitic acid hydrophobic characteristic, and the nonpolar nature of activated carbon (acted by repelling the vapor molecules of water). A grease resistance of Kit solution 11 of MPB was observed. The stiffness and elongation capacity increased, indicating the rigidity and flexibility of the MPB. The deposition of palmitic acid and activated carbon influenced the roughness increase. The biodegradability in the soil after 188 days of MPB was 55.01%, and the control (uncoated paperboard) was 69.38%. The coating did not impact the degradation behavior of cellulose.

SAFETY ISSUES OF MICROPLASTICS RELEASED FROM FOOD CONTACT MATERIALS

Microplastics released from food contact materials have raised concerns regarding their safety implications for human health. In this way, several studies have shown that microplastics can migrate from food contact materials into beverages and food, leading to human exposure through ingestion. The small size and persistent nature of microplastics make them capable of accumulating in various organs and tissues, potentially causing adverse health effects. Furthermore, the toxicological properties are amplified by their ability to adsorb and transport hazardous chemicals, including additives, endocrine disruptors, and toxic metals. Their health impacts include inflammation, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and disruption of the endocrine system. Carcinogenic effects, reproductive disorders, and developmental abnormalities have also been reported. Moreover, microplastics can act as vectors for microbial pathogens, posing additional health risks. Further research and testing methods are required to understand the sources, distribution, and toxicity of microplastic particles, to improve customers safety issue. Additionally, concerted efforts from stakeholders, including manufacturers, regulators, and consumers are needed, including activities that support the development and adoption of alternative non-toxic, biodegradable, and sustainable packaging materials.

A Review on Biopolymer-Based Biodegradable Film for Food Packaging: Trends over the Last Decade and Future Research

In recent years, much attention has been paid to the use of biopolymers as food packaging materials due to their important characteristics and properties. These include non-toxicity, ease of availability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, indicating their potential as an alternative to conventional plastic packaging that has long been under environmental scrutiny. Given the current focus on sustainable development, it is imperative to develop studies on biopolymers as eco-friendly and sustainable food packaging materials. Therefore, the aim of this review is to explore trends and characteristics of biopolymer-based biodegradable films for food packaging, analyze the contribution of various journals and cooperation between countries, highlight the most influential authors and articles, and provide an overview of the social, environmental, and economic aspects of biodegradable films for food packaging. To achieve this goal, a bibliometric analysis and systematic review based on the PRISMA method were conducted. Relevant articles were carefully selected from the Scopus database. A bibliometric analysis was also conducted to discuss holistically, comprehensively, and objectively biodegradable films for food packaging. An increasing interest was found in this study, especially in the last 3 years with Brazil and China leading the number of papers on biodegradable films for food packaging, which were responsible for 20.4% and 12.5% of the published papers, respectively. The results of the keyword analysis based on the period revealed that the addition of bioactive compounds into packaging films is very promising because it can increase the quality and safety of packaged food. These results reveal that biodegradable films demonstrate a positive and promising trend as food packaging materials that are environmentally friendly and promote sustainability.

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.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Package Deliveries: Sustainable Decision-Making for the Academic Institutions

Due to globalization, digitalization, and competition, the number and frequency of customer requests have grown quickly over the past few years in the fast-growing commercial trade. With this steady growth, express deliveries have become one of the most important things to study and research in order to lower costs and meet more customer orders. This study uses lifecycle assessment (LCA) to analyze the environmental footprints of current delivery packaging materials, mainly comprising corrugated cardboard boxes and polystyrene foam that arrives at the University of Regina central receiving and also suggests viable alternatives to reduce the lifecycle environmental impact. The study's objective is to identify the stages that contribute the most to environmental emissions and suggest viable alternatives to reduce the lifecycle environmental impact. We sourced packaging material data from GaBi Education Database 2020 and obtained other product-specific data from published LCAs for consistency. The current study on packaging materials analysis in the base scenario revealed that the cradle-to-grave polystyrene packaging material has the highest environmental impact. These results have significant implications for decision-makers in identifying sustainable packaging materials for long-term use and for stakeholders in comprehending environmental impacts.

Development and characterization of sustainable-active-edible-bio based films from orange and pomegranate peel waste for food packaging: Effects of particle size and acid/plasticizer concentrations

Sustainable packaging materials especially from food processing waste are of getting interest. The aim of the study was to develop edible bio based films from processing wastes of pomegranate and orange peels. For this purpose, pomegranate and orange peels were dried and processed into flour in different particle sizes. The effects of particle size, concentration of acid and plasticizer on physical and mechanical properties were investigated. Antimicrobial, antioxidant, morphological and thermal properties were further determined for the selected film formulations. Results showed that the particle size significantly affected mechanical properties of the films (p ≤ 0.05), with improvement of the mechanical properties for the reduced particle size. Pomegranate and orange peel based films showed very high antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus irrespective of particle sizes. The pomegranate and orange peel based films had homogeneous, smooth, and crack-free surfaces. Pomegranate and orange peel based films showed very similar thermal properties and major thermal degradation was observed between 160 and 300 °C for both type of films irrespective of particle sizes. Pomegranate and orange peels could be good potential as antioxidant and antimicrobial biopolymer sources for sustainable and active food coating/packaging.