Bio-nanocomposites for food packaging applications

Food packaging based on polymer nanomaterials

The development of nanocomposites is a new strategy to improve physical properties of polymers, including mechanical strength, thermal stability, and gas barrier properties. The most promising nanoscale size fillers are montmorillonite and kaolinite clays. Graphite nanoplates are currently under study. In food packaging, a major emphasis is on the development of high barrier properties against the migration of oxygen, carbon dioxide, flavor compounds, and water vapor. Decreasing water vapor permeability is a critical issue in the development of biopolymers as sustainable packaging materials. The nanoscale plate morphology of clays and other fillers promotes the development of gas barrier properties. Several examples are cited. Challenges remain in increasing the compatibility between clays and polymers and reaching complete dispersion of nanoplates. Nanocomposites may advance the utilization of biopolymers in food packaging.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2009.01456.x

Review: Nanocomposites in Food Packaging

Where is MAP Going? A review and future potential of modified atmosphere packaging for meat

Although plastic pollution happens globally, the micro- (<5 mm) and macroplastic (5–150 mm) transfer of plastic to terrestrial species relevant to human consumption has not been examined. We provide first-time evidence for micro- and macroplastic transfer from soil to chickens in traditional Mayan home gardens in Southeast Mexico where waste mismanagement is common. We assessed micro- and macroplastic in soil, earthworm casts, chicken feces, crops and gizzards (used for human consumption). Microplastic concentrations increased from soil (0.87 ± 1.9 particles g−1), to earthworm casts (14.8 ± 28.8 particles g−1), to chicken feces (129.8 ± 82.3 particles g−1). Chicken gizzards contained 10.2 ± 13.8 microplastic particles, while no microplastic was found in crops. An average of 45.82 ± 42.6 macroplastic particles were found per gizzard and 11 ± 15.3 macroplastic particles per crop, with 1–10 mm particles being significantly more abundant per gizzard (31.8 ± 27.27 particles) compared to the crop (1 ± 2.2 particles). The data show that micro- and macroplastic are capable of entering terrestrial food webs.

/pdf/field-evidence-for-transfer-of-plastic-debris-along-a-3833qzj4rt.pdf

Field evidence for transfer of plastic debris along a terrestrial food chain

The Institute of Food Technologists has issued this Scientific Status Summary to update readers on food packaging and its impact on the environment.

http://www.petrops.com/Files/article_pdf/food%20packaging.pdf

Food packaging--roles, materials, and environmental issues.

Predicting permeability and transmission rate for multilayer materials

Food packaging and its environmemtal impact

ackaging performs a number of functions in the containment, protection, shipment, and selling of goods. The textbook definitions vary (Table 1), but whichever definition is used, the package is expected to provide a combination of protection and marketing roles. The complex set of requirements is poorly understood outside of the packaging community (and sometimes within that community), resulting in lost opportunities. Furthermore, these functions are sufficiently integrated, especially in the developed world, that they are not considered individually (Anonymous, 1998). A clearer separation of these roles may make it easier to identify areas in which packaging may significantly reduce postharvest losses and thereby improve the world food supply, as mandated in the 1996 World Food Security Declaration of Rome (FAO, 1996). The premise of this article is that an increased understanding of the distinction between protective and marketing functions of packaging, and a realization of the economics associated with these functions, could promote a significant improvement in the use of food packaging protection to reduce postharvest losses and thereby improve world food security. The World Food Security summit sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, Italy, in November 1996 drafted a declaration to reduce world hunger by 50% by the year 2015. The food security concept refers to securing food for those in need, which includes quantity and distribution of foodstuffs. The traditional approach to an improved food supply is agricultural in nature and concentrates on food production—i.e., farm production. This approach has been so successful P Looking at Packaging in a New Way to Reduce Food Losses

http://www.drkenmarsh.com/documents/Packaging0201_Marsh.pdf

Kenneth S. Marsh

Papers

Food packaging--roles, materials, and environmental issues.

Predicting permeability and transmission rate for multilayer materials

Food packaging and its environmemtal impact

Looking at packaging in a new way to reduce food losses