Current status of biobased and biodegradable food packaging materials: Impact on food quality and effect of innovative processing technologies

Fossil-based plastic materials are an integral part of modern life. In food packaging, plastics have a highly important function in preserving food quality and safety, ensuring adequate shelf life, and thereby contributing to limiting food waste. Meanwhile, the global stream of plastics into the oceans is increasing exponentially, triggering worldwide concerns for the environment. There is an urgent need to reduce the environmental impacts of packaging waste, a matter raising increasing consumer awareness. Shifting part of the focus toward packaging materials from renewable resources is one promising strategy. This review provides an overview of the status and future of biobased and biodegradable films used for food packaging applications, highlighting the effects on food shelf life and quality. Potentials, limitations, and promising modifications of selected synthetic biopolymers; polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, and polyhydroxyalkanoate; and natural biopolymers such as cellulose, starch, chitosan, alginate, gelatine, whey, and soy protein are discussed. Further, this review provides insight into the connection between biobased packaging materials and innovative technologies such as high pressure, cold plasma, microwave, ultrasound, and ultraviolet light. The potential for utilizing such technologies to improve biomaterial barrier and mechanical properties as well as to aid in improving overall shelf life for the packaging system by in-pack processing is elaborated on.     

Antimicrobial nanoparticles and biodegradable polymer composites for active food packaging applications

The food industry faces numerous challenges to assure provision of tasty and convenient food that possesses extended shelf life and shows long-term high-quality preservation. Research and development of antimicrobial materials for food applications have provided active antibacterial packaging technologies that are able to meet these challenges. Furthermore, consumers expect and demand sustainable packaging materials that would reduce environmental problems associated with plastic waste. In this review, we discuss antimicrobial composite materials for active food packaging applications that combine highly efficient antibacterial nanoparticles (i.e., metal, metal oxide, mesoporous silica and graphene-based nanomaterials) with biodegradable and environmentally friendly green polymers (i.e., gelatin, alginate, cellulose, and chitosan) obtained from plants, bacteria, and animals. In addition, innovative syntheses and processing techniques used to obtain active and safe packaging are showcased. Implementation of such green active packaging can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne pathogen outbreaks, improve food safety and quality, and minimize product losses, while reducing waste and maintaining sustainability.     

Essential Oils: Extraction,Bioactivities, and Their Uses for Food Preservation

Essential oils are concentrated liquids of complex mixtures of volatile compounds and can be extracted from several plant organs. Essential oils are a good source of several bioactive compounds, which possess antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. In addition, some essential oils have been used as medicine. Furthermore, the uses of essential oils have received increasing attention as the natural additives for the shelf‐life extension of food products, due to the risk in using synthetic preservatives. Essential oils can be incorporated into packaging, in which they can provide multifunctions termed “active or smart packaging.” Those essential oils are able to modify the matrix of packaging materials, thereby rendering the improved properties. This review covers up‐to‐date literatures on essential oils including sources, chemical composition, extraction methods, bioactivities, and their applications, particularly with the emphasis on preservation and the shelf‐life extension of food products.     

Natural antimicrobials and antioxidants added to polylactic acid packaging films. Part I: Polymer processing techniques

Currently, reducing packaging plastic waste and food losses are concerning topics in the food packaging industry. As an alternative for these challenges, antimicrobial and antioxidant materials have been developed by incorporating active agents (AAs) into biodegradable polymers to extend the food shelf life. In this context, developing biodegradable active materials based on polylactic acid (PLA) and natural compounds are a great alternative to maintain food safety and non-toxicity of the packaging. AAs, such as essential oils and polyphenols, have been added mainly as antimicrobial and antioxidant natural compounds in PLA packaging. In this review, current techniques used to develop active PLA packaging films were described in order to critically compare their feasibility, advantages, limitations, and relevant processing aspects. The analysis was focused on the processing conditions, such as operation variables and stages, and factors related to the AAs, such as their concentrations, weight losses during processing, and incorporation technique, among others. Recent developments of active PLA-based monolayers and bi- or multilayer films were also considered. In addition, patents on inventions and technologies on active PLA-based films for food packaging were reviewed. This review highlights that the selection of the processing technique and conditions to obtain active PLA depends on the type of the AA regarding its volatility, solubility, and thermosensitivity.     

抑菌包装塑料薄膜的研究与应用进展及展望

抑菌包装塑料薄膜是一种抵抗微生物侵蚀,提高食品保质期的新型包装材料。文章分别从抑菌包装塑料薄膜作用、制膜方法、抑菌机理、纳米改性、抗菌剂改性、液体食品抑菌,以及抑菌包装塑料薄膜应用等方面进行综述,并对抑菌塑料包装薄膜的应用和研究方向进行了展望。     

Natural biopolymer-based nanocomposite films for packaging applications

Concerns on environmental waste problems caused by non-biodegradable petrochemical-based plastic packaging materials as well as the consumer's demand for high quality food products has caused an increasing interest in developing biodegradable packaging materials using annually renewable natural biopolymers such as polysaccharides and proteins. Inherent shortcomings of natural polymer-based packaging materials such as low mechanical properties and low water resistance can be recovered by applying a nanocomposite technology. Polymer nanocomposites, especially natural biopolymer-layered silicate nanocomposites, exhibit markedly improved packaging properties due to their nanometer size dispersion. These improvements include increased modulus and strength, decreased gas permeability, and increased water resistance. Additionally, biologically active ingredients can be added to impart the desired functional properties to the resulting packaging materials. Consequently, natural biopolymer-based nanocomposite packaging materials with bio-functional properties have a huge potential for application in the active food packaging industry. In this review, recent advances in the preparation of natural biopolymer-based films and their nanocomposites, and their potential use in packaging applications are addressed.     

The role of smart packaging system in food supply chain

Food supply chain is a rapidly growing integrated sector and covers all the aspects from farm to fork, including manufacturing, packaging, distribution, storing, as well as further processing or cooking for consumption. Along this chain, smart packaging could impact the quality, safety, and sustainability of food. Packaging systems have evolved to be smarter with integration of emerging electronics and wireless communication and cloud data solutions. Although there are many factors causing the loss and waste issues for foods throughout the whole supply chain of food and there have been several articles showing the recent advances and breakthroughs in developing smart packaging systems, this review integrates these conceptual frameworks and technological applications and focuses on how innovative smart packaging solutions are beneficial to the overall quality and safety of food supply by enhancing product traceability and reducing the amount of food loss and waste. We start by introducing the concept of the management for the integrated food supply chain, which is critical in tactical and operational components that can enhance product traceability within the entire chain. Then we highlight the impact of smart packaging in reducing food loss and waste. We summarize the basic information of the common printing techniques for smart packaging system (sensor and indicator). Then, we discuss the potential challenges in the manufacturing and deployment of smart packaging systems, as well as their cost-related drawbacks and further steps in food supply chain.     

The determination of monomers and oligomers from polyester-based can coatings into foodstuffs over extended storage periods

The polymeric coating used in metal packaging such as cans for foods and beverages may contain residual amounts of monomers used in the production of the coating, as well as unreacted linear and cyclic oligomers. Traditionally, although designed for use with plastic food contact materials, food simulants have been used to determine the migration of monomers from coatings into foodstuffs. More recently, food simulants have also been used to determine oligomeric species migrating from can coatings. In the work reported here, the migration of both monomers and oligomers from polyester-based can coatings into food simulants and foodstuffs, some of which were towards the end of their shelf-life, is compared. The concentrations of monomers and selected oligomers in canned foods at the end of their shelf life were found to be significantly lower than those in food simulants, which in turn was lower than those in the extraction solvent acetonitrile.     

超高压下食品组分与包装材料的相互影响

研究超高压技术对薄膜的结构和性能产生的影响及超高压作用下薄膜与食品模拟物的相互作用。对以大豆蛋白、油脂等食品组分为内容物的尼龙/聚乙烯(PA/PE)、聚酯/聚乙烯(PET/PE)两种聚合物包装材料进行超高压处理,并贮藏一定周期,测定不同压强及保压时间下食品内容物与包装材料在不同贮藏周期内的相互影响。结果表明:贮藏周期一定,经过超高压处理的两种聚合物包装材料的性能要优于未经过处理的;在保压时间一定的情况下,增加压力会提升食品组分的货架期,压力越高,效果越明显;在压力一定的条件下,保压时间的变化并未对食品组分、包装材料产生规律性的影响。压力和贮藏周期的变化对食品组分和包装材料会产生一定的影响。     

Cold Plasma‐Mediated Treatments for Shelf Life Extension of Fresh Produce: A Review of Recent Research Developments

Fresh produce, like fruits and vegetables, are important sources of nutrients and health‐promoting compounds. However, incidences of foodborne outbreaks associated with fresh produce often occur; it is thus important to develop and expand decay‐control technologies that can not only maintain the quality but can also control the biological hazards in postharvest, processing, and storage to extend their shelf life. It is under such a situation that plasma‐mediated treatments have been developed as a novel nonthermal processing tool, offering many advantages and attracting much interest from researchers and the food industry. This review summarizes recent developments of cold plasma technology and associated activated water for shelf life extension of fresh produce. An overview of plasma generation and its physical–chemical properties as well as methods for improving plasma efficiency are first presented. Details of using the technology as a nonthermal agent in inhibiting spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, inactivating enzymes, and modifying the barrier properties or imparting specific functionalities of packaging materials to extend shelf life of food produce are then reviewed, and the effects of cold plasma‐mediated treatment on microstructure and quality attributes of fresh produce are discussed. Future prospects and research gaps of cold plasma are finally elucidated. The review shows that atmospheric plasma‐mediated treatments in various gas mixtures can significantly inhibit microorganisms, inactive enzyme, and modify packaging materials, leading to shelf life extension of fresh produce. The quality attributes of treated produce are not compromised but improved. Therefore, plasma‐mediated treatment has great potential and values for its application in the food industry.     

Active Packaging Applications for Food

The traditional role of food packaging is continuing to evolve in response to changing market needs. Current drivers such as consumer's demand for safer, “healthier,” and higher‐quality foods, ideally with a long shelf‐life; the demand for convenient and transparent packaging, and the preference for more sustainable packaging materials, have led to the development of new packaging technologies, such as active packaging (AP). As defined in the European regulation (EC) No 450/2009, AP systems are designed to “deliberately incorporate components that would release or absorb substances into or from the packaged food or the environment surrounding the food.” Active packaging materials are thereby “intended to extend the shelf‐life or to maintain or improve the condition of packaged food.” Although extensive research on AP technologies is being undertaken, many of these technologies have not yet been implemented successfully in commercial food packaging systems. Broad communication of their benefits in food product applications will facilitate the successful development and market introduction. In this review, an overview of AP technologies, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant or carbon dioxide‐releasing systems, and systems absorbing oxygen, moisture or ethylene, is provided, and, in particular, scientific publications illustrating the benefits of such technologies for specific food products are reviewed. Furthermore, the challenges in applying such AP technologies to food systems and the anticipated direction of future developments are discussed. This review will provide food and packaging scientists with a thorough understanding of the benefits of AP technologies when applied to specific foods and hence can assist in accelerating commercial adoption.     

我国食品接触塑料包装制品再生利用的法律规制：以PET饮料瓶为例

回收塑料用于食品包装制品是未来的发展趋势,我国目前对此尚无明确的法律规定。推动我国食品接触塑料包装制品再生利用的法律规制,以食品安全为中心,兼顾环境保护、循环经济与绿色消费,在保障食品接触材料对食品安全性的基础上,既能促进食品包装再生利用产业发展,又能推动废弃塑料治理与环境保护,实现食品安全前提下的资源循环利用与消费升级。本文从我国法律规制的发展概况出发,在论述法律规制的必要性与可行性、对域外经验借鉴的基础上,提出确认回收塑料的法律地位、制定再生聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯材料的食品安全国家标准、完善食品接触再生塑料包装的市场准入、构建再生利用社会共治格局的完善路径。     

金属有机框架材料在食品包装中的应用

随着食品工业的发展,食品安全问题引起人们的广泛关注。金属有机框架（metal-organic frameworks,MOFs）是一类具有独特物理和化学性质的功能材料,其具有多孔结构以及显著的抗菌性能,因此在食品保鲜方面显示出良好的应用前景。在食品包装领域,MOFs可以延长食品的保质期并延缓贮藏期食品品质的劣变,提高食品包装材料的性能。本文综述MOFs作为抗菌剂、氧清除剂和乙烯清除剂在食品包装中的应用,介绍MOFs在食品包装领域的应用前景及面临的问题,旨在为MOFs在食品包装中的应用提供参考。     

基于生物可降解材料的活性包装在熟肉制品中的应用进展

肉制品不仅营养丰富,而且是微生物的良好生长介质。在贮藏运输过程中科学合理的包装方式能够有效抑制肉制品的腐败变质,从而保证肉制品品质。活性包装作为目前迅速发展的新技术之一,在驱除氧气、控制二氧化碳含量、抗氧化和抑菌方面已取得一定的研究成果,并在肉制品加工产业中得到应用。同时可降解的环保材料能够减少塑料污染,符合绿色生态环保的发展理念,并有助于实现食品包装产业的可持续发展。本文综述了基于生物可降解材料的活性包装在肉制品加工产业中的应用现状,以及该类活性包装对熟肉制品货架期、脂肪氧化和蛋白氧化等品质的影响及其机制,以期推进活性包装在熟肉制品中的应用并为相关研究提供理论指导。     

Packaging of Olive Oil: Quality Issues and Shelf Life Predictions

Olive oil has gained much appreciation among consumers worldwide leading to increased markets as well as greater consumer expectation and thus more challenges for the relevant food sector. By understanding the product, its interactions with the environment, and the protective role of the package, decisions can be made on the barrier properties required of the packaging materials to achieve the desired shelf life. To this end, the shelf life of packaged olive oil under various storage and distribution environments can be predicted by mathematical modeling. This review examines the basic factors affecting the shelf life of olive oil in different packaging systems and describes the main oxidative degradation mechanisms for them. Since an experimental investigation to correlate the basic quality factors and the shelf life of a product is time- and effort-consuming, the use of mathematical modeling for the prediction of packaged olive oil shelf life is also discussed. In the presented works, shelf life predictions were based on the most consumer-related attributes; namely, the evolution of olive oil flavor compounds under various packaging and storage conditions. The validation of the simulations against known experimental results showed a very good correlation, confirming the value of the mathematical approach for a quick and accurate prediction of shelf life of oxidation-sensitive products.     

Antimicrobial edible films and coatings

Increasing consumer demand for microbiologically safer foods, greater convenience, smaller packages, and longer product shelf life is forcing the industry to develop new food-processing, cooking, handling, and packaging strategies. Nonfluid ready-to-eat foods are frequently exposed to postprocess surface contamination, leading to a reduction in shelf life. The food industry has at its disposal a wide range of nonedible polypropylene- and polyethylene-based packaging materials and various biodegradable protein- and polysaccharide-based edible films that can potentially serve as packaging materials. Research on the use of edible films as packaging materials continues because of the potential for these films to enhance food quality, food safety, and product shelf life. Besides acting as a barrier against mass diffusion (moisture, gases, and volatiles), edible films can serve as carriers for a wide range of food additives, including flavoring agents, antioxidants, vitamins, and colorants. When antimicrobial agents such as benzoic acid, sorbic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, nisin, and lysozyme have been incorporated into edible films, such films retarded surface growth of bacteria, yeasts, and molds on a wide range of products, including meats and cheeses. Various antimicrobial edible films have been developed to minimize growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, including Listeria monocytogenes, which may contaminate the surface of cooked ready-to-eat foods after processing. Here, we review the various types of protein-based (wheat gluten, collagen, corn zein, soy, casein, and whey protein), polysaccharide-based (cellulose, chitosan, alginate, starch, pectin, and dextrin), and lipid-based (waxes, acylglycerols, and fatty acids) edible films and a wide range of antimicrobial agents that have been or could potentially be incorporated into such films during manufacture to enhance the safety and shelf life of ready-to-eat foods.     

Packaging of Olive Oil: Quality Issues and Shelf Life Predictions

Olive oil has gained much appreciation among consumers worldwide leading to increased markets as well as greater consumer expectation and thus more challenges for the relevant food sector. By understanding the product, its interactions with the environment, and the protective role of the package, decisions can be made on the barrier properties required of the packaging materials to achieve the desired shelf life. To this end, the shelf life of packaged olive oil under various storage and distribution environments can be predicted by mathematical modeling. This review examines the basic factors affecting the shelf life of olive oil in different packaging systems and describes the main oxidative degradation mechanisms for them. Since an experimental investigation to correlate the basic quality factors and the shelf life of a product is time- and effort-consuming, the use of mathematical modeling for the prediction of packaged olive oil shelf life is also discussed. In the presented works, shelf life predictions were based on the most consumer-related attributes; namely, the evolution of olive oil flavor compounds under various packaging and storage conditions. The validation of the simulations against known experimental results showed a very good correlation, confirming the value of the mathematical approach for a quick and accurate prediction of shelf life of oxidation-sensitive products.     

Potential applications and limitations of edible coatings for maintaining tomato quality and shelf life

Tomato is among the most commercialised fruits due to its high nutritional value and health-promoting compounds. However, tomatoes have a short shelf life and plastic packaging materials are used to mitigate perishability. Nevertheless, the exhaustion of nonrenewable natural resources used to produce plastics and demand for eco-friendly packaging entailed search for other alternatives. Edible coatings have emerged as an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to protect fruits from physical and chemical deterioration, and microbial spoilage. Edible coating can be produced from natural raw materials such as lipids, proteins and polysaccharides. The aim of this review was to assess the recent scientific literature regarding the application of edible coatings in maintaining quality and enhancing shelf life of tomatoes. This review has collected and analysed the most recent studies about the application of edible coatings of tomato. The available literature has indicated that different edible coatings have the potential to maintain physico-chemical and sensory qualities and improve shelf life of tomatoes. Despite several benefits, edible coatings have poor barrier properties, and some of edible coatings impart undesirable flavour on produce. The review suggests that blending edible coatings with essential oil and active compounds using nanotechnologies could be used to overcome the limitations of edible coatings.     

Potential of Immobilization Technology in Bacteriocin Production and Antimicrobial Packaging

Globalization of food trade, increasing demand for ready to eat fresh food products, and awareness among consumers towards side effects of chemical preservatives have led to research and development in the area of biopreservation. Biopreservation basically involves inhibition or killing of food spoilage microorganisms by the application of other microbes or their antimicrobial products. Bacteriocins are ribosomally synthesized peptides having potential as biopreservatives. The enhanced, stable, continuous, and economically viable production of these preservatives can be carried out by employing immobilization technology. Various matrices, operational conditions, and fermentation systems have been explored for achieving maximum bacteriocin production through immobilization; besides these, immobilization can be used for the application of bacteriocins in various packaging materials or films for their functional effects at the surface of different food products. Efficiency of an antimicrobial packaging system can be increased by its application in combination with other methods, including high-pressure processing (HPP), which in turn can improve the shelf life of food products. These antimicrobial packaging systems can play a significant role in extending shelf life of food products by reducing the risk of foodborne pathogens, thereby enhancing their quality and safety.     

新型食品包装材料研究进展

随着食品加工产业的进一步发展,食品质量和安全越来越受到公众重视,为了保护食品品质和延长食品货架期,开发新型包装材料具有重要意义。主要介绍了四种新型包装材料,包括抗菌材料、气调材料、控释材料和智能材料,总结各种包装材料的特点以及在食品包装领域的研究进展,并对未来食品包装材料的发展趋势进行展望。