Informative and corrective responsive packaging: Advances in farm-to-fork monitoring and remediation of food quality and safety

Microbial growth and fluctuations in environmental conditions have been shown to cause microbial contamination and deterioration of food. Thus, it is paramount to develop reliable strategies to effectively prevent the sale and consumption of contaminated or spoiled food. Responsive packaging systems are designed to react to specific stimuli in the food or environment, such as microorganisms or temperature, then implement an informational or corrective response. Informative responsive packaging is aimed at continuously monitoring the changes in food or environmental conditions and conveys this information to the users in real time. Meanwhile, packaging systems with the capacity to control contamination or deterioration are also of great interest. Encouragingly, corrective responsive packaging attempting to mitigate the adverse effects of condition fluctuations on food has been investigated. This packaging exerts its effects through the triggered release of active agents by environmental stimuli. In this review, informative and corrective responsive packaging is conceptualized clearly and concisely. The mechanism and characteristics of each type of packaging are discussed in depth. This review also summarized the latest research progress of responsive packaging and objectively appraised their advantages. Evidently, the mechanism through which packaging systems respond to microbial contamination and associated environmental factors was also highlighted. Moreover, risk concerns, related legislation, and consumer perspective in the application of responsive packaging are discussed as well. Broadly, this comprehensive review covering the latest information on responsive packaging aims to provide a timely reference for scientific research and offer guidance for presenting their applications in food industry.     

Current topics in active and intelligent food packaging for preservation of fresh foods

The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of current packaging systems, e.g. active packaging and intelligent packaging, for various foods. Active packaging, such as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), extends the shelf life of fresh produce, provides a high‐quality product, reduces economic losses, including those caused by delay of ripening, and improves appearance. However, in active packaging, several variables must be considered, such as temperature control and different gas formulations with different product types and microorganisms. Active packaging refers to the incorporation of additive agents into packaging materials with the purpose of maintaining or extending food product quality and shelf life. Intelligent packaging is emerging as a potential advantage in food processing and is an especially useful tool for tracking product information and monitoring product conditions. Moreover, intelligent packaging facilitates data access and information exchange by altering conditions inside or outside the packaging and product. In spite of these advantages, few of these packaging systems are commercialized because of high cost, strict safety and hygiene regulations or limited consumer acceptance. Therefore more research is needed to develop cheaper, more easily applicable and effective packaging systems for various foods. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Antimicrobial activity of biodegradable polysaccharide and protein-based films containing active agents

Significant interest has emerged in the introduction of food packaging materials manufactured from biodegradable polymers that have the potential to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional packaging materials. Current technologies in active packaging enable effective antimicrobial (AM) packaging films to be prepared from biodegradable materials that have been modified and/or blended with different compatible materials and/or plasticisers. A wide range of AM films prepared from modified biodegradable materials have the potential to be used for packaging of various food products. This review examines biodegradable polymers derived from polysaccharides and protein-based materials for their potential use in packaging systems designed for the protection of food products from microbial contamination. A comprehensive table that systematically analyses and categorizes much of the current literature in this area is included in the review.     

A comprehensive review of intelligent controlled release antimicrobial packaging in food preservation

Food Science and Biotechnology - Intelligent responsive packaging provides informative feedback or control the release of active substances like antimicrobial agents in response to stimuli in food...     

交互理念引导下的食品包装设计

分析当下中国食品包装"唯视觉化"、"唯形式化"倾向严重的现状,阐述交互理念介入食品包装设计的起因及时代背景,例证交互理念推动食品包装设计的创新及走向智能交互的发展趋势,提出以交互理念为引导的"以人为本"、"以用户体验为核心"的设计是未来食品包装的生存发展之道。     

Nano‐Food Packaging: An Overview of Market,Migration Research,and Safety Regulations

Recently, food packages produced with nanoparticles, “nano‐food packaging,” have become more available in the current market. However, although the use of nanomaterials is increasing in food packaging applications, concern over toxicity affects consumer perceptions and acceptance. Quite a number of commercialized forms of nano‐food packaging are coated or composited product with inorganic materials, for example, nanosilver and nanoclay as representative examples. Several studies have shown the possibility of nanomaterial migration from packaging or containers to foodstuff. The debate is still ongoing among researchers about the extent of migration and whether it is negligible and safe. Government agencies and stakeholders must hurry to determine use limitations and release conclusive legislation and regulations as soon as possible since nano‐food packaging may have great impacts on human health. This paper aims to review the availability of nano‐food packaging in the current market, report case studies on nanomaterial migration, and present the current status of safety regulations and management of nano‐food packaging in leading countries across regions. This review should enable governments and researchers to develop further nanomaterial risk assessment studies.     

新型食品包装材料的发展概况及趋势

食品包装是食品的外部保护, 可以防止食品免受外界因素的影响而发生感官或营养成分的变化。传统的食品包装材料不仅会给环境带来巨大压力, 而且从食品包装迁移至食品中的化学物质也会给食品安全和质量带来负面影响。随着人们对食品包装材料的安全性越来越关注, 很多新型的食品包装材料成为研究热点。本文对几种具有较大应用前景的可降解材料、可食材料进行了综述, 包括天然高分子材料、微生物合成高分子材料、聚乳酸(poly lactic acid, PLA)等新型食品包装材料的研究现状和亟待解决的问题, 简要介绍了活性包装和智能包装的发展, 并对未来食品包装的发展趋势提出方向。     

可视化智能包装在食品新鲜度监测中的应用研究进展

食品安全问题是全社会高度关注的热点之一,快速、无损地评价食品安全在食品研究领域受到广泛关注。近年来,可视化智能包装发展迅速,但目前基于该技术的应用范围、局限性及未来发展方向缺乏系统总结,本文对可视化智能包装的研究进展进行综述,讨论目前可视化智能包装在食品检测领域应用的局限性,分析可视化智能包装监测结果准确度、精确度不高等问题的原因,总结可视化智能包装的发展趋势。未来可视化智能包装会与其他技术相结合,多学科联合,在材料的选择、检测灵敏度、精确度以及低风险、无污染等方面取得更好发展,实现对食品品质的快速、无损实时监控,以期为食品科学领域的应用提供参考。     

纳米粒子稳定的Pickering乳液在食品包装中的应用研究进展

Pickering乳液是以超细固体颗粒作为乳化剂制得的乳状液,具有乳化剂用量低、稳定性高、环境友好等优点,同时对活性物质具有良好的包载、缓释能力,在食品包装领域应用前景广阔。本文介绍了4种食品级天然纳米粒子（蛋白、多糖、脂质和多酚）稳定Pickering乳液的机理及其应用效果;综述了Pickering乳液在食品包装中的应用研究现状,基于机械性能、阻隔性能、抑菌和抗氧化性能等方面分析了Pickering乳液的加入对食品包装膜品质的影响;并对Pickering乳液在食品包装领域的研究方向进行了展望,以期推动Pickering乳液在食品包装领域的研究和应用。     

牛肉气调保鲜包装研究进展

气调包装(MAP)技术应用于牛肉保鲜是当前食品包装领域的研究热点之一。本文从MAP对牛肉品质的影响、牛肉MAP保鲜效果的影响因素、MAP与其他保鲜方法协同作用等方面进行了阐述,可为牛肉保鲜包装中包装技术及材料选择提供指导。     

Industrial packaging developments for the global meat market

Packaging companies must carefully monitor retail and consumer trends to best utilize, direct, or prioritize their research dollars in developing packaging and packaging systems to meet these demands. This paper reviews packaging developments that are resulting from numerous trends taking place in the meat industry and in the retail sector. Current case ready packaging solutions that meet the needs of retailers to reduce labor in the back of the retail stores, and the consumer needs for a fresh product with excellent quality and palatability are also discussed. It will also review the current packaging options that are being developed to help consumers battle their "time crunch" with ready meal solutions. Finally, the necessity to increase food safety or eliminate pathogens while producing a high quality product continues to drive packaging development. Current systems and packaging available for post packaging pasteurization will be discussed.     

植物精油在包装领域的研究应用进展

近年来,人们对在食品中使用天然抗菌剂代替化学防腐剂的兴趣日益增加。就此而言,精油这种具有挥发性且安全无害的天然植物次生代谢产物无疑将会在食品功能包装领域得到广泛的研究和应用。目前大量研究表明,加入精油后的食品包装可增强食品的抗菌和抗氧化活性、减缓酶促褐变、改变食品周围的气体环境以及水蒸气渗透等效果。本文特以此为切入点,介绍了植物精油的生物学效应,以及植物精油作为一种活性成分在当前的研究、开发和应用。因此,开发植物精油用作生物基食品包装,将精油本身与纳米乳液纳入活性或智能包装中,加入到产品或包装表面涂层、充入气调包装中、在包装内添加小袋和加入到包装膜上等,无疑可以用来改善产品品质的影响,减少食品行业的浪费。该研究还涵盖了植物精油在食品包装中的常见技术应用,如可降解的生物薄膜、微胶囊包埋、纳米乳液和静电纺丝等,以期为植物精油在包装领域的应用提供新途径。     

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.     

Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review and Future Trends

Innovations in food packaging systems will help meet the evolving needs of the market, such as consumer preference for “healthy” and high‐quality food products and reduction of the negative environmental impacts of food packaging. Emerging concepts of active and intelligent packaging technologies provide numerous innovative solutions for prolonging shelf‐life and improving the quality and safety of food products. There are also new approaches to improving the passive characteristics of food packaging, such as mechanical strength, barrier performance, and thermal stability. The development of sustainable or green packaging has the potential to reduce the environmental impacts of food packaging through the use of edible or biodegradable materials, plant extracts, and nanomaterials. Active, intelligent, and green packaging technologies can work synergistically to yield a multipurpose food‐packaging system with no negative interactions between components, and this aim can be seen as the ultimate future goal for food packaging technology. This article reviews the principles of food packaging and recent developments in different types of food packaging technologies. Global patents and future research trends are also discussed.     

食品活性吸氧包装材料研究进展

氧气是引起食品变质的主要因素之一,食品工业主要运用物理或化学方法来降低包装容器内的氧气体积分数,以延长食品保质期。从无机系列脱氧剂及有机系列脱氧剂方面阐述了吸氧包装材料的应用机理及其在食品中的应用类型,指出高效、安全、适合自动包装是新型吸氧包装材料的发展趋势。为了使吸氧包装材料能在食品行业中得到应用,必须深入了解其涉及的材料和食品领域,加大对吸氧包装材料的研究力度,加强产、学、研之间的合作,使吸氧包装材料尽早实现商品化应用。     

A review on colorimetric indicators for monitoring product freshness in intelligent food packaging: Indicator dyes,preparation methods,and applications

Intelligent food packaging system exhibits enhanced communication function by providing dynamic product information to various stakeholders (e.g., consumers, retailers, distributors) in the supply chain. One example of intelligent packaging involves the use of colorimetric indicators, which when subjected to external stimuli (e.g., moisture, gas/vapor, electromagnetic radiation, temperature), display discernable color changes that can be correlated with real-time changes in product quality. This type of interactive packaging system allows continuous monitoring of product freshness during transportation, distribution, storage, and marketing phases. This review summarizes the colorimetric indicator technologies for intelligent packaging systems, emphasizing on the types of indicator dyes, preparation methods, applications in different food products, and future considerations. Both food and nonfood indicator materials integrated into various carriers (e.g., paper-based substrates, polymer films, electrospun fibers, and nanoparticles) with material properties optimized for specific applications are discussed, targeting perishable products, such as fresh meat and fishery products. Colorimetric indicators can supplement the traditional “Best Before” date label by providing real-time product quality information to the consumers and retailers, thereby not only ensuring product safety, but also promising in reducing food waste. Successful scale-up of these intelligent packaging technologies to the industrial level must consider issues related to regulatory approval, consumer acceptance, cost-effectiveness, and product compatibility.     

国内食品领域聚酰胺薄膜的发展现状

聚酰胺薄膜由聚酰胺树脂(尼龙)加工而成,主要是由聚己内酰胺树脂(尼龙6)制备而成。聚酰胺薄膜以其使用温度范围广、拉伸强度大、抗冲击、耐有机溶剂、气体阻隔性高等优点而被广泛应用于日用品包装、电子产品包装、药品包装、食品包装等领域。在食品包装应用中,聚酰胺薄膜根据印刷和复合要求的不同,分为单面电晕薄膜和双面电晕薄膜;根据使用温度的不同,分为普通型和蒸煮型;根据不同的功能需求,分为消光聚酰胺薄膜、直撕裂聚酰胺薄膜、高阻隔聚酰胺薄膜、抗静电聚酰胺薄膜、耐冷冲聚酰胺薄膜等。为了满足不同的包装要求,需要不同功能性的薄膜,这就需要对聚酰胺进行改性。本文主要介绍了功能性聚酰胺薄膜的种类及其在食品领域里的应用和聚酰胺改性的研究现状,同时指出聚酰胺薄膜的减薄化和功能化是聚酰胺薄膜未来的发展方向。     

Intelligent Packaging: Concepts and Applications

ABSTRACT: Intelligent packaging is an emerging technology that uses the communication function of the package to facilitate decision making to achieve the benefits of enhanced food quality and safety. In this paper, the term intelligent packaging is defined based on a proposed model of packaging functions, which is consistent with the historical development of food packaging. A conceptual framework is also developed to provide more precise meaning to the definition and to elucidate the anatomy of the intelligent packaging system. The latest advances in smart package devices including barcode labels, radio frequency identification tags, time-temperature indicators, gas indicators, and biosensors are reviewed. The applications of the conceptual framework to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points and microwave ovens are illustrated. A research roadmap for intelligent packaging is also suggested.     

Microbial control by packaging: a review

Since early man first used a variety of natural containers to store and eat foods, significant developments in food packaging materials have provided the means to suppress microbial growth as well as protect foods from external microbial contamination. Throughout this progression, packaging materials have been developed specifically to prevent the deterioration of foods resulting from exposure to air, moisture, or pH changes associated with the food or the surrounding atmosphere. Both flexible and rigid packaging materials, alone or in combination with other preservation methods, have been developed to offer the necessary barrier, inactivation, and containment properties required for successful food packaging. Examples of flexible packaging used to inactivate microorganisms associated with foods include controlled atmosphere, vacuum, modified atmosphere, active, and edible packaging. Additionally, the combination of rigid packaging materials made from metal, glass, or plastic with heat provides the most effective and widely used method for inactivating microorganisms. As with all food products, it is necessary to integrate a HACCP-based program to assure quality throughout the packaging operation. In addition to packaging improvements, other novel technologies include the development of detectors for oxygen levels, bacterial toxins, and microbial growth, or the integration of time-temperature indicators for detection of improper handling or storage.     

Prospection of the use of encapsulation in food packaging

Food safety and extended shelf life linked to convenience were the major reasons for the development of the packaging field. However, advances in material science and the widespread encapsulation technologies are allowing the establishment of new concepts for packages, such as intelligent and active packages. Particulate systems have been developed in recent years for the most diverse area with several purposes that can be employed to improve packaging performance mainly focusing on the modification of barrier properties. This review analyzes the recent developments using encapsulation in food packaging and the main concepts about mass transfer evolved in the functionality of these packages, as well as discusses the research challenges faced by the food packaging sector.