Nanocomposites for Food Packaging

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanocomposite Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 March 2022) | Viewed by 13287

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanotechnology can address many issues of modern food packaging, such as the extension and implementation of the principal packaging functions: containment, protection and preservation, marketing, and communications. The applications of polymer nanotechnology, in fact, can provide new materials with improved barrier, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties, oxygen scavenging ability, enzyme immobilization, and indication of the degree of exposure to some detrimental factors such as temperatures or oxygen levels during transport and storage.

This Special Issue is concerned with the preparation and characterization of polymer nanocomposites for food packaging applications. There are no limits in terms of composition, type of polymers (natural or synthetic polymers), and nature of the fillers. Both original contributions and reviews are welcome. Research on green materials is strongly encouraged.

Dr. Donatella Duraccio
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • improved packaging
  • active packaging
  • smart packaging
  • intelligent packaging
  • eco-sustainability
  • environment
  • health

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3233 KiB  
Article
Enhancement of Gas Barrier Properties and Durability of Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate)-Based Nanocomposites for Food Packaging Applications
by Astrid E. Delorme, Tanja Radusin, Petri Myllytie, Vincent Verney and Haroutioun Askanian
Nanomaterials 2022, 12(6), 978; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12060978 - 16 Mar 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3003
Abstract
Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA)-based materials are receiving growing attention in the packaging industry for their promising biodegradability. However, poor gas barrier properties and low durability of biodegradable polymers, such as PBSA, have limited their wide-spread use in food packaging applications. Here we report [...] Read more.
Poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA)-based materials are receiving growing attention in the packaging industry for their promising biodegradability. However, poor gas barrier properties and low durability of biodegradable polymers, such as PBSA, have limited their wide-spread use in food packaging applications. Here we report a scalable solution to improve gas barrier properties and stabilize PBSA against photo-aging, with minimal modifications to the biodegradable polymer backbone by using a commercially available and biocompatible layered double hydroxide (LDH) filler. We investigate and compare the mechanical, gas barrier, and photoaging properties of PBSA and PBSA-LDH nanocomposite films produced on a pilot scale. An increase in rigidity in the nanocomposite was observed upon addition of LDH fillers to neat PBSA, which direct the application of neat PBSA and PBSA-LDH nanocomposite to different food packaging applications. The addition of LDH fillers into neat PBSA improves the oxygen and water vapour barriers for the PBSA based nanocomposites, which increases the attractiveness of PBSA material in food packaging applications. Through changes in the viscoelastic behaviour, we observe an improved photo-durability of photoaged PBSA-LDH nanocomposites compared to neat PBSA. It is clear from our studies that the presence of LDH enhances the lifetime durability and modulates the photodegradation rate of the elaborated biocomposites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites for Food Packaging)
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10 pages, 2101 KiB  
Article
Active Packaging Based on Coupled Nylon/PE Pouches Filled with Active Nano-Hybrid: Effect on the Shelf Life of Fresh Milk
by Valeria Bugatti, Federica Zuppardi, Gianluca Viscusi and Giuliana Gorrasi
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 1881; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11081881 - 22 Jul 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2175
Abstract
The study reports on the preparation and characterization of an active packaging based on pouches composed of a coupled system nylon/polyethylene (PE). The PE layer was filled with and active nano-hybrid of layered double hydroxide (LDH) on which it was anchored salicylate, as [...] Read more.
The study reports on the preparation and characterization of an active packaging based on pouches composed of a coupled system nylon/polyethylene (PE). The PE layer was filled with and active nano-hybrid of layered double hydroxide (LDH) on which it was anchored salicylate, as antimicrobial molecule. The release of the salicylate anchored to the LDH was compared to the release of the molecule free dispersed into the PE and resulted much slower. It was evaluated the efficiency of the active packaging to inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Campylobacter. Global migration tests on the PE active layer, using ethanol (50% v/v) as food simulant, demonstrated the possibility of such active nanocomposite to be used for food contact being the migration limits in compliance with those imposed from the EU regulation. Fresh milk was packed into the active pouches and pouches with unfilled PE layer, as control. The pH reduction as function of the time, due to the production of lactic acid, resulted much slower in the active packaging. Total bacterial count (TBC) was evaluated on the milk, either packed into the active packaging or the control, up to 50 days of storage at 4 °C. Shelf life of the milk was evaluated using the Gompertz model. It was demonstrated an increasing of the shelf life of milk packaged in active pouches from 6 days up to 10 days. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites for Food Packaging)
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12 pages, 875 KiB  
Article
Strategies to Improve the Properties of Amaranth Protein Isolate-Based Thin Films for Food Packaging Applications: Nano-Layering through Spin-Coating and Incorporation of Cellulose Nanocrystals
by Amparo López-Rubio, Adriana Blanco-Padilla, Kristiina Oksman and Sandra Mendoza
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2564; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano10122564 - 21 Dec 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3212
Abstract
In this work, two different strategies for the development of amaranth protein isolate (API)-based films were evaluated. In the first strategy, ultrathin films were produced through spin-coating nanolayering, and the effects of protein concentration in the spin coating solution, rotational speed, and number [...] Read more.
In this work, two different strategies for the development of amaranth protein isolate (API)-based films were evaluated. In the first strategy, ultrathin films were produced through spin-coating nanolayering, and the effects of protein concentration in the spin coating solution, rotational speed, and number of layers deposited on the properties of the films were evaluated. In the second strategy, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were incorporated through a casting methodology. The morphology, optical properties, and moisture affinity of the films (water contact angle, solubility, water content) were characterized. Both strategies resulted in homogeneous films with good optical properties, decreased hydrophilic character (as deduced from the contact angle measurements and solubility), and improved mechanical properties when compared with the neat API-films. However, both the processing method and film thickness influenced the final properties of the films, being the ones processed through spin coating more transparent, less hydrophilic, and less water-soluble. Incorporation of CNCs above 10% increased hydrophobicity, decreasing the water solubility of the API films and significantly enhancing material toughness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites for Food Packaging)
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Review

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27 pages, 3478 KiB  
Review
Nanocomposites for Food Packaging Applications: An Overview
by Jawad Sarfraz, Tina Gulin-Sarfraz, Julie Nilsen-Nygaard and Marit Kvalvåg Pettersen
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11010010 - 23 Dec 2020
Cited by 115 | Viewed by 11123
Abstract
There is a strong drive in industry for packaging solutions that contribute to sustainable development by targeting a circular economy, which pivots around the recyclability of the packaging materials. The aim is to reduce traditional plastic consumption and achieve high recycling efficiency while [...] Read more.
There is a strong drive in industry for packaging solutions that contribute to sustainable development by targeting a circular economy, which pivots around the recyclability of the packaging materials. The aim is to reduce traditional plastic consumption and achieve high recycling efficiency while maintaining the desired barrier and mechanical properties. In this domain, packaging materials in the form of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) can offer the desired functionalities and can be a potential replacement for complex multilayered polymer structures. There has been an increasing interest in nanocomposites for food packaging applications, with a five-fold rise in the number of published articles during the period 2010–2019. The barrier, mechanical, and thermal properties of the polymers can be significantly improved by incorporating low concentrations of nanofillers. Furthermore, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties can be introduced, which are very relevant for food packaging applications. In this review, we will present an overview of the nanocomposite materials for food packaging applications. We will briefly discuss different nanofillers, methods to incorporate them in the polymer matrix, and surface treatments, with a special focus on the barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. On the practical side migration issues, consumer acceptability, recyclability, and toxicity aspects will also be discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanocomposites for Food Packaging)
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