Search Results (771)

As the demand for sustainable materials continues to grow, calcium caseinate (Cas) biopolymer films have emerged as promising alternatives to fossil-based plastics. However, their mechanical fragility and high-water sensitivity limit their application in packaging. In this study, we reinforced Cas films with zinc hydroxide nitrate (ZHN) using two incorporation methods: wet (ZHN-w) and dry (ZHN-d). We evaluated how each method affected the dispersion of the filler and, consequently, the functional properties of the films. To our knowledge, this is the first report of ZHN being used in biopolymeric films. Structural and morphological analyses showed better dispersion of ZHN in the wet-incorporated films. These samples exhibited a substantial increase in tensile strength, from 0.75 ± 0.00 MPa to 9.62 ± 2.45 MPa, along with a marked improvement in Young’s modulus. The films also became less soluble in water, more resistant to swelling, and structurally more cohesive. In antimicrobial tests, the ZHN-w films showed stronger inhibition against E. coli and S. aureus. Overall, this approach offers a simple and effective way to enhance protein-based films using food-safe materials, making them suitable for active and bio-based packaging applications. Full article

Microplastics are pervasive environmental pollutants that pose risks to human health through ingestion and inhalation. This review synthesizes current practices to reduce exposure and toxicity by examining major exposure routes and dietary interventions. More than 130 papers were analyzed to achieve this aim. The findings show that microplastics contaminate a wide range of food products, with particular concern over seafood, drinking water, plastic-packaged foods, paper cups, and tea filter bags. Inhalation exposure is mainly linked to indoor air quality and smoking, while dermal contact poses minimal risk, though the release of additives from plastics onto the skin remains an area of concern. Recommended strategies to reduce dietary exposure include consuming only muscle parts of seafood, moderating intake of high-risk items like anchovies and mollusks, limiting canned seafood liquids, and purging mussels in clean water before consumption. Avoiding plastic containers, especially for hot food or microwaving, using wooden cutting boards, paper tea bags, and opting for tap or filtered water over bottled water are also advised. To mitigate inhalation exposure, the use of air filters with HyperHEPA systems, improved ventilation, regular vacuuming, and the reduction of smoking are recommended. While antioxidant supplementation shows potential in reducing microplastic toxicity, further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. This review provides practical, evidence-based recommendations for minimizing daily microplastic exposure. Full article

In recent years, active packaging has become a focal point of research and development in the food industry, driven by increasing consumer demand for safe, high-quality, and sustainable food products. In this work, solvent casting processed an active antibacterial multicomponent film based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose incorporated with ferulic acid and chitin nanofibers. The influences of ferulic acid and different content of chitin nanofibers on the structure, thermal, mechanical, and water vapor stability and antioxidant and antibacterial efficiency of films were studied. It was shown that the inclusion of only ferulic acid did not significantly influence the mechanical, water vapor, and thermal stability of films. In addition, films containing only ferulic acid did not display antibacterial activity. The optimal concentration of chitin nanofibers in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose–ferulic acid films was 5 wt%, providing a tensile strength of 15 MPa, plasticity of 52%, and water vapor permeability of 0.94 × 10⁻⁹ g/m s Pa. With further increase of chitin nanofibers content, films with layered and discontinuous phases are obtained, which negatively influence tensile strength and water vapor permeability. Moreover, only films containing both ferulic acid and chitin nanofibers demonstrated antibacterial activity toward E. coli and S. aureus, suggesting that the presence of fibers allows easier release of ferulic acid from the matrix. These results imply that the investigated three-component systems have potential applicability as sustainable active food packaging materials. Full article

Antimicrobial food packaging with natural antimicrobials and biodegradable polymers presents an innovative solution to mitigate microbial contamination, prolong freshness, reduce food waste, and alleviate environmental burden. This study developed antimicrobial hemicellulose-based films by incorporating carvacrol (1% and 2%) as a natural antimicrobial agent through micro-emulsification produced by high-pressure homogenization (M-films). For comparison, films with the same formula were constructed using coarse emulsions (C-films) without high-pressure homogenization. These films were investigated for their antimicrobial efficacy, mechanical and barrier properties, and physicochemical attributes to explore their potential as sustainable antimicrobial packaging solutions. The M-films demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity, achieving reductions exceeding 4 Log CFU/mL against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica, compared to the C-films. High-pressure homogenization significantly reduced the emulsion’s particle size, from 11.59 to 2.55 μm, and considerably enhanced the M-film’s uniformity, hydrophobicity, and structural quality. Most importantly, the M-films exhibited lower oxygen transmission (35.14 cc/m²/day) and water vapor transmission rates (52.12 g/m²/day) than the C-films at 45.1 and 65.5 cc/m²/day, respectively, indicating superior protection against gas and moisture diffusion. Markedly improved mechanical properties, including foldability, toughness, and bubble-free surfaces, were also observed, making the M-films suitable for practical applications. This study highlights the potential of high-pressure homogenization as a method for enhancing the functional properties of hemicellulose-based films (i.e., M-films). The fabricated films offer a viable alternative to conventional plastic packaging, paving the way for safer and greener solutions tailored to modern industry needs. Full article

In order to develop modern polymer films intended for food packaging, materials based on cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) with the addition of Tween 80 as a plasticizer and cinnamic acid (CA), known for its antibacterial properties, were prepared. It should be emphasized that materials based on CAP combined with Tween 80 have not been previously reported in the literature. Therefore, not only is the incorporation of cinnamic acid into these systems an innovative approach, but also the use of the CAP-Tween80 matrix itself represents a novel strategy in the context of the proposed applications. The conducted studies made it possible to assess the properties of the obtained materials with and without the addition of cinnamic acid. The obtained results showed that the addition of cinnamic acid significantly influenced the crucial properties relevant to food storage. The introduction of CA into the polymer matrix notably enhanced the UV barrier properties achieving complete (100%) blockage of UVB radiation and approximately a 20% reduction of UVA transmittance. Furthermore, the modified films exhibited pronounced antibacterial activity, with over 99% reduction in Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations observed for samples containing 2 and 3% CA. This antibacterial effect contributed to the extended freshness of stored blueberries. Moreover, the addition of cinnamic acid did not significantly affect the transparency of the films, which remained high (97–99%), thereby allowing the fruit to remain visible. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as pervasive environmental contaminants due to their widespread presence across various ecosystems, including their use in single-use plastic food ware and table salt dispensers. This issue coincides with the presence of heavy metals in water sources in Doha, Qatar. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed that the plastic plate and spoon were composed of polyolefin, with the spoon exhibiting additional peaks that indicated oxidation or the presence of additives. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) revealed that the spoon exhibited higher thermal stability, retaining approximately 10% of its mass at 700 °C, than the plate, which retained 2%, indicating the presence of complex additives or contamination. MPs in food-grade salt samples were verified through filtration and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, identifying polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These MPs likely stem from exposure to packaging or environmental contaminants. FTIR spectra confirmed the integrity of the polymers after treatment. Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis revealed varying levels of heavy metals in bottled and tap water, with notable findings including detectable arsenic and lead in both, higher calcium and magnesium in bottled water, and the presence of copper present in tap water only, highlighting potential health and infrastructure-related concerns. These results highlight the possible risks associated with exposure to MPs and heavy metals from everyday products and water sources, underscoring the need for enhanced regulatory oversight and safer material choices to ensure protection. Full article

Integrating recyclates into food packaging is key towards circularity while meeting functionality and safety requirements; however, associated environmental impacts remain underexplored. This gap was addressed through a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment, using the Environmental Footprint method, along with substitution and cut-off approaches for handling the multifunctionality of recycling. Recyclates were derived from polyethylene (PE)-rich household food packaging waste, purified via delamination-deinking. Firstly, results show that shifting from virgin multi-material to mono-material multilayer structures with or without recyclates, while maintaining functionality, offers environmental benefits. Secondly, recyclates should sufficiently substitute virgin materials in quantity and quality, decreasing the need for primary plastics and avoiding recyclate incorporation without functionality. Otherwise, thicker laminates are obtained, increasing processability challenges and environmental impacts, e.g., 12% for particulate matter, and 14% for mineral-metal resource use when the recycle content rises from 34 to 50%. Thirdly, a fully closed loop for flexible food packaging is not yet feasible. Key improvements lie in reducing residues generated during recycling, especially in delamination-deinking, lowering energy use in recompounding, and using more efficient transport modes for waste collection. Further research is essential to optimise the innovative technologies studied for flexible food packaging and refine them for broader applications. Full article

In order to recycle plastic waste back to food contact materials (FCMs), it is necessary to identify hazardous substances in plastic packaging that pose a toxicological risk. Printing inks on plastics are not yet designed to withstand the high heat stress of mechanical recycling processes and therefore require hazard identification. In this study, virgin polypropylene (PP) foils were printed with different types of inks (UV-cured, water-based) and colour shades. Thermal analysis of printed foils and pigments was performed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Samples were then thermally treated below and above measured thermal events at 120 °C, 160 °C, 200 °C or 240 °C for 30 min. Subsequently, migration tests and miniaturised Ames tests were performed. Four out of thirteen printed foils and all three pigments showed positive results for mutagenicity in miniaturised Ames tests after thermal treatment at 240 °C. Additionally, pre-incubation Plate Ames tests (according to OECD 471) were performed on three pigments and one printed foil, yielding two positive results after thermal treatment at 240 °C. These results indicate that certain ink components form hazardous decomposition products when heated up to a temperature of 240 °C. However, further research is needed to gain a better understanding of the chemical processes that occur during high thermal treatment. Full article

The growing accumulation of plastic packaging waste poses severe environmental and health challenges. To address these issues, significant research has been devoted to developing biodegradable films; however, their weak mechanical and barrier properties limit their practical utility. This study introduces an innovative multilayer film production method, combining electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers with a chitosan matrix. Two configurations were investigated: (1) nonwoven PCL layers placed between chitosan sheets and (2) a chitosan sheet sandwiched between two nonwoven PCL layers. Both systems were evaluated using PCL fibers derived from medical-grade and technical-grade polymers. The chitosan/polycaprolactone/chitosan (CH/PCL/CH) configuration demonstrated superior performance, achieving enhanced interlayer cohesion and significantly improved mechanical strength, durability, and barrier properties. Notably, this configuration achieved tensile strength and elongation at break values of 57.1 MPa and 36.3%, respectively—more than double those of pure chitosan films. This breakthrough underscores the potential of multilayered biopolymer films as eco-friendly packaging solutions, offering exceptional promise for sustainable applications in the food packaging industry. Full article

In recent years, membranes have found extensive applications, primarily in wastewater purification and food packaging. However, petroleum-based membranes can be detrimental to the environment. For this reason, extensive studies are being conducted to identify environmentally friendly substitutes for the materials used in membrane composition. Among these materials, polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) are two bio-sourced and biodegradable polymers that can be derived from lignocellulosic waste. These polymers also possess suitable characteristics, such as thermal resistance and mechanical strength, which make them potential candidates for replacing conventional plastics. This study provides an overview of recent advances in the production of PLA and PHB, with a focus on their extraction from lignocellulosic biomass, as well as the recent applications of these two biodegradable polymers as sustainable materials in membrane manufacturing. The advantages and limitations of membranes produced from these materials are also summarized. Lastly, an analysis of future trends is provided concerning new sources, production possibilities, and potential applications in water treatment (mainly for metal ions separation), gas separation, oil–water separation, medical applications, drug release control, and food packaging. Full article

Spice by-products, often discarded as waste, represent an untapped resource for sustainable packaging solutions due to their unique, multifunctional, and bioactive profiles. Unlike typical plant residues, these materials retain diverse phytochemicals—including phenolics, polysaccharides, and other compounds, such as essential oils and vitamins—that exhibit controlled release antimicrobial and antioxidant effects with environmental responsiveness to pH, humidity, and temperature changes. Their distinctive advantage is in preserving volatile bioactives, demonstrating enzyme-inhibiting properties, and maintaining thermal stability during processing. This review encompasses a comprehensive characterization of phytochemicals, an assessment of the re-utilization pathway from waste to active materials, and an investigation of processing methods for transforming by-products into films, coatings, and nanoemulsions through green extraction and packaging film development technologies. It also involves the evaluation of their mechanical strength, barrier performance, controlled release mechanism behavior, and effectiveness of food preservation. Key findings demonstrate that ginger and onion residues significantly enhance antioxidant and antimicrobial properties due to high phenolic acid and sulfur-containing compound concentrations, while cinnamon and garlic waste effectively improve mechanical strength and barrier attributes owing to their dense fiber matrix and bioactive aldehyde content. However, re-using these residues faces challenges, including the long-term storage stability of certain bioactive compounds, mechanical durability during scale-up, natural variability that affects standardization, and cost competitiveness with conventional packaging. Innovative solutions, including encapsulation, nano-reinforcement strategies, intelligent polymeric systems, and agro-biorefinery approaches, show promise for overcoming these barriers. By utilizing these spice by-products, the packaging industry can advance toward a circular bio-economy, depending less on traditional plastics and promoting environmental sustainability in light of growing global population and urbanization trends. Full article

The widespread use of conventional plastic in food packaging has raised serious environmental issues due to its persistence and poor biodegradability. With growing concerns over plastic pollution and its long-term ecological impact, researchers are increasingly turning to natural, renewable sources for sustainable alternatives. Agricultural waste, often discarded in large quantities, offers a valuable resource for producing biodegradable polymers. This review discusses the environmental burden caused by traditional plastics and explores how agricultural residues such as rice husks, corn cobs, and fruit peels can be converted into eco-friendly packaging materials. Various types of biopolymers sourced from agricultural waste, including cellulose, starch, plant and animal-based proteins, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and polylactic acid (PLA), are examined for their properties, benefits, and limitations in food packaging applications. Each material presents unique characteristics in terms of biodegradability, mechanical strength, and barrier performance. While significant progress has been made, several challenges remain, including cost-effective production, material performance, and compliance with food safety regulations. Looking ahead, innovations in material processing, waste management integration, and biopolymer formulation could pave the way for widespread adoption. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current developments and future directions in the use of agricultural waste for sustainable packaging solutions, comparing their biodegradability and performance to conventional plastics. Full article

Synthetic plastic pollution represents a major global concern, driving the search for sustainable and biodegradable packaging alternatives. However, many biodegradable plastics suffer from inadequate mechanical performance. This study aimed to develop a biodegradable film based on cassava starch, incorporating onion peel powder (OPP), a byproduct rich in quercetin derivatives, as a reinforcing agent and plasticized with crude glycerol. A Central Composite Design (CCD), implemented using Minitab 19, was employed to investigate the effects of starch (60–80%) and OPP (0–40%) content on the mechanical properties and biodegradability of the resulting bioplastics. Three optimized formulations were identified according to specific performance criteria. The first formulation, containing 72.07% starch and 21.06% OPP, was optimized for maximum tensile strength while maintaining target values for elongation and biodegradability. The second, composed of 77.28% starch and 37.69% OPP, was optimized to enhance tensile strength and biodegradability while minimizing elongation. The third formulation, with 84.56% starch and 27.74% OPP, aimed to achieve a balanced optimization of tensile strength, elongation, and biodegradability. After a 30-day soil burial test, these formulations exhibited weight loss percentages of 31.86%, 29.12%, and 29.02%, respectively, confirming their biodegradability. This study optimized the mechanical and biodegradability properties of cassava starch-based bioplastics using statistical modeling. The optimized formulations show potential for application in sustainable food packaging. Full article

Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely produced plastic globally. It is extensively used as packaging in both the food and pharmaceutical industries. Its use can result in the formation of emerging contaminants—microplastics (MPs). This review summarizes current knowledge on PE and PE-derived microplastics (PE–MPs) and highlights existing gaps. It discusses the factors influencing PE degradation, with particular emphasis on interactions with packaged contents and food products. The role of PE–MPs as vectors for environmental contaminants is also examined, focusing on their adsorption and desorption behavior. Finally, we explore the toxicity and bioaccessibility of PE–MPs. Our findings indicate that pH, temperature, and exposure time are the most significant factors driving PE degradation. However, comparative studies examining a broad spectrum of parameter values remain scarce. The process of PE–MP generation remains largely unexplored. Adsorption mechanisms on PE–MPs are well documented in the literature. In contrast, desorption has received significantly less scientific attention, and its relevance to human exposure is still unclear. Numerous studies have suggested potential links between human exposure to PE–MPs and the development of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders. Nevertheless, no studies have yet examined the bioavailability of PE–MPs. Similarly, the dose-response relationship between PE and MP exposure and toxicological outcomes in humans remains unclear. As a result, it is currently not possible to establish safety thresholds for PE–MP contamination in food products. This review offers a novel polymer-specific approach to MPs research and outlines specific recommendations for future studies. Full article

The recycling of post-consumer plastics for food-contact applications is subject to stringent regulatory requirements, particularly with regard to the removal of potentially harmful non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). While polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling processes are already approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), there is a lack of guidance for other polymers like polystyrene (PS). This study aims to provide a scientific basis for assessing the decontamination efficiency required for recycled post-consumer PS in food-contact applications. As one of the first studies to propose a framework for PS decontamination assessment based on EFSA food-consumption data and conservative diffusion modeling, it contributes to filling this regulatory gap. First, European food-consumption data were analyzed to identify critical scenarios of the age-group-dependent intake of PS-packaged food. Based on this, a conservative migration model was applied using a one-dimensional diffusion simulation to determine the maximum allowable initial concentrations of NIAS in PS. The calculated values were then compared with published reference contamination levels to calculate the required cleaning efficiency. The combination of food-consumption values and the migration process showed that trays for fruits and vegetables are the most critical food-contact application for post-consumer PS recycling. The most stringent assumptions resulted in necessary decontamination efficiencies ranging from 92% for the smallest molecule, toluene (92.14 g/mol), to 42% for the largest molecule, methyl stearate (298.50 g/mol). The results provide a methodological basis for regulatory assessments and offer practical guidance for designing safe recycling processes, thereby supporting the circular use of PS in food packaging and building the basis for future regulatory assessments of other polymers, in line with the European Union Plastics Strategy and circular economy objectives. Full article