Development of antioxidant food packaging materials with controlled release properties

In this study, cellulose acetate (CA) films with different morphological features were prepared in order to control the release rates of low molecular weight natural antioxidants, L-ascorbic acid and L-tyrosine. Increasing CA content in the casting solution decreased the average pore size and porosity of the films, thus, reduced the diffusion rates of both antioxidants through the films. Although both antioxidants have similar molecular weights, L-tyrosine released into water much more slowly than L-ascorbic acid. The highest antioxidant activity in release test solutions was observed with highly porous L-tyrosine containing films. However, when the porosity of the films reduced, the antioxidant activity of L-ascorbic acid released into solution was found to be higher due to trapping of significant amount of L-tyrosine in dense films. The use of different antioxidants caused different changes in morphological and mechanical properties of the CA films. Varying the structural features of the films with the preparation conditions or using different surfaces of the films allowed the controlled release of each antioxidant.     

活性包装薄膜中活性物质缓释技术研究进展

综述了活性包装薄膜中活性物质缓释技术的国内外研究进展,着重从活性物质释放速率的调控技术、影响因素以及释放动力学模型三方面进行了归纳,并对其未来发展趋势进行了展望。     

活性包装释放控制的研究进展

活性包装是以包装材料为传送载体,释放抗菌剂、抗氧化剂等保鲜剂以达到维持或改善食品品质,延长食品的货架期的包装技术。本文从释放动力学过程展开探讨,分类介绍了释放控制的四种方式:树脂基体组成、多层复合、纳米材料复合及微囊化,最后从活性包装保鲜效果评价进行释放与保鲜的关联,并提出了展望。      

Development of cellulose acetate based antimicrobial food packaging materials for controlled release of lysozyme

Antimicrobial packaging materials were obtained by incorporation of lysozyme into cellulose acetate (CA) films. In order to achieve controlled release of lysozyme, the structure of the films was changed from highly asymmetric and porous to dense by modulating the composition of the initial casting solution. The highest release rate, soluble lysozyme activity and antimicrobial activity were obtained with the film prepared from 5% CA solution including 1.5% lysozyme. Increasing CA content in the casting solution decreased the porosity of the films, hence, reduced the release rate, maximum released lysozyme activities and the antimicrobial activities of the films. In contrast, immobilized lysozyme activities and the tensile strength of the films increased. The incorporation of lysozyme did not cause significant reductions in tensile strength and elongation at break values except in films prepared with 15% CA. This study showed the good potential of asymmetric CA films to achieve controlled release in antimicrobial packaging.     

Development of mono and multilayer antimicrobial food packaging materials for controlled release of potassium sorbate

In this study, cellulose acetate (CA) based mono and multilayer films including potassium sorbate (Psb) as an antimicrobial agent were prepared using dry phase inversion technique. To achieve appropriate controlled release of Psb, the structure of the films was changed by manipulating the film preparation conditions. In particular, the initial casting composition, wet casting thickness and drying temperature were varied. Results indicate that Psb release rate decreased as the CA content in the casting solution, the wet casting thickness and the drying temperature for both mono and multilayer films were increased. Compared to the results for the monolayer films, a significant decrease of Psb release rate through the multilayer films was recorded. Drying-induced crystallization was observed in the monolayer films. As a consequence of this, a fast initial release of Psb, controlled by Fickian diffusion, was followed by a slower release controlled by dissolution of Psb crystals. In multilayer films, no crystals were detected in the structure and the release rate was regulated only by diffusion of Psb through the film. The results suggest that the films prepared in this study can be used as food packaging materials for achieving controlled and extended release of Psb.     

Active and intelligent packaging: The indication of quality and safety

The food industry has been under growing pressure to feed an exponentially increasing world population and challenged to meet rigorous food safety law and regulation. The plethora of media consumption has provoked consumer demand for safe, sustainable, organic, and wholesome products with “clean” labels. The application of active and intelligent packaging has been commercially adopted by food and pharmaceutical industries as a solution for the future for extending shelf life and simplifying production processes; facilitating complex distribution logistics; reducing, if not eliminating the need for preservatives in food formulations; enabling restricted food packaging applications; providing convenience, improving quality, variety and marketing features; as well as providing essential information to ensure consumer safety. This chapter reviews innovations of active and intelligent packaging which advance packaging technology through both scavenging and releasing systems for shelf life extension, and through diagnostic and identification systems for communicating quality, tracking and brand protection.     

Development of PLA films containing oregano essential oil (Origanum vulgare L. virens) intended for use in food packaging

Consumers’ concerns about the environment and health have led to the development of new food packaging materials avoiding petroleum-based matrices and synthetic additives. The present study has developed polylactic acid (PLA) films containing different concentrations of essential oil from Origanum vulgare L. virens (OEO). The effectiveness of this new active packaging was checked for use in ready-to-eat salads. A plasticising effect was observed when OEO was incorporated in PLA films. The rest of the mechanical and physical properties of developed films did not show much change when OEO was included in the film. An antioxidant effect was recorded only for films containing the highest percentages of the active agent (5% and 10%). In addition, films exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus carnosus. Moreover, in ready-to-eat salads, antimicrobial activity was only observed against yeast and moulds, where 5% and 10% of OEO was the most effective.     

Advances in green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles and their application in food packaging

The past decade has seen nanotechnology progressively being adopted by the food industry. Its wide application in food packaging has redefined conservative food packaging with active and intelligent packaging. Nanomaterials do not only influence food quality and safety but also offer health-related benefits. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have been preferred in recent years because of their high biological activity. However, they are generally synthesised using physicochemical methods which are associated with toxicity. In the past decade, efforts have been directed towards advancement of green synthesis of SeNPs to minimise hazardous by-products. The antioxidant and biocidal effects of SeNPs are generally investigated by direct contact between the oxidisable matter and/or test organisms. Lately, there is focus on the effect SeNPs incorporated into packaging films. This paper will review developments on SeNPs synthesised via plant extracts from the year 2010 to present and their potential application in active food packaging.     

Influence of factors on release of antimicrobials from antimicrobial packaging materials

Antimicrobial packaging materials (films or coatings) (APMs) have aroused great interest among the scientists or the experts specialized in material science, food science, packaging engineering, biology and chemistry. APMs have been used to package the food, such as dairy products, poultry, meat (e.g., beef), salmon muscle, pastry dough, fresh pasta, bakery products, fruits, vegetables and beverages. Some materials have been already commercialized. The ability of APMs to extend the shelf-life of the food depends on the release rate of the antimicrobials (AMs) from the materials to the food. The optimum rate is defined as target release rate (TRR). To achieve TRR, the influencing factors of the release rate should be considered. Herein we reviewed for the first time these factors and their influence on the release. These factors mainly include the AMs, food (or food simulant), packaging materials, the interactions among them, the temperature and environmental relative humidity (RH).     

Use of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) nanohydrogels for the controlled release of pimaricin in active packaging

We propose here a delivery drug-polymer system using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) nanohydrogels that enables pimaricin to be protected from hostile environments and allows the controlled release of the antifungal through environmental stimuli. We synthesized 2 nanohydrogels, 1 with 100% N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPA(5)) and 1 with 80% N-isopropylacrylamide copolymerized and 20% acrylic acid (PNIPA-20AA(5)). Both were then, loaded with a pimaricin aqueous solution. The pimaricin release profiles of these 2 nanohydrogels were considerably different: PNIPA(5) released 10% and PNIPA-20AA(5) released 30% with respect to the free pimaricin release. Moreover, the diffusion experiments showed that pimaricin was released from the PNIPA-20AA(5) nanohydrogel for up to 3 times longer than free pimaricin. Therefore, incorporating acrylic acid as comonomer into the PNIPA nanohydrogel resulted in a slower but more continuous release of pimaricin. The highest pimaricin levels were reached when the most hydrophilic nanohydrogel was used. The bioassay results showed that the pimaricin-nanohydrogel system was highly effective in inhibiting the growth of the indicator strain in conditions of thermal abuse. The spoilage in acidified samples stored under fluorescent lighting was reduced by 80.94% ± 33.02% in samples treated with a pimaricin-loaded nanohydrogel, but only by 19.91% ± 6.68% in samples treated with free pimaricin. Therefore, 2 conclusions emerge from this study. One is that the nanohydrogel delivery system could impede the degradation of pimaricin. The other is that the inhibitory effect of the antifungal on yeast growth is more pronounced when it is added included into the nanohydrogel to the food, especially in an acidic environment. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This article presents relevant results on the use of nanohydrogels in food packaging. Nanohydrogels could provide protection so that the pimaricin remains active for a longer time. They also allow the controlled release of pimaricin, which thus regulates the unnecessary presence of the antifungal in the food.     

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.     

食品轻质包装材料的发展现状与前景

食品轻质包装材料由于具有运输成本低,便于携带等特性,越来越成为包装材料的研究重点。本文介绍了活性包装技术、纳米技术和降解技术等几种前沿的材料技术在传统轻质包装材料中的应有,概述了传统轻质包装材料的发展趋势和发展前景。      

Electrohydrodynamic processing of natural polymers for active food packaging: A comprehensive review

The active packaging materials fabricated using natural polymers is increasing in recent years. Electrohydrodynamic processing has drawn attention in active food packaging due to its potential in fabricating materials with advanced structural and functional properties. These materials have the significant capability in enhancing food's quality, safety, and shelf-life. Through electrospinning and electrospray, fibers and particles are encapsulated with bioactive compounds for active packaging applications. Understanding the principle behind electrohydrodynamics provides fundamentals in modulating the material's physicochemical properties based on the operating parameters. This review provides a deep understanding of electrospray and electrospinning, along with their advantages and recent innovations, from food packaging perspectives. The natural polymers suitable for developing active packaging films and coatings through electrohydrodynamics are intensely focused. The critical properties of the packaging system are discussed with characterization techniques. Furthermore, the limitations and prospects for natural polymers and electrohydrodynamic processing in active packaging are summarized.     

介孔分子筛搭载槲皮素食品抗氧化活性包装膜制备及其性能研究

以十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)和聚(乙二醇)-block-聚(丙二醇)-block-聚(乙二醇)Mn~2900(P131345)作为双模板剂制备出纳米二氧化硅介孔分子筛MCM-41(Mobil Composition of Matter No.41),并进一步以此为载体搭载天然抗氧化剂槲皮素,以低密度聚乙烯(LDPE)为基材制备了一种食品抗氧化活性包装膜。结果表明,所制备纳米二氧化硅介孔分子筛MCM-41比表面积为439.173 m²/g,孔体积为0.665 cm³ g^-1,孔径分布为2.4、4.0 nm。吸附槲皮素后,其1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(DPPH)自由基在经过24 h和1200 h后平均清除率分别为56.75%和66.01%。同时,槲皮素在食品模拟物中的扩散速率D(cm²/s)由2.127×10^-13下降到3.089×10^-14。表明以介孔分子筛为载体制备的食品抗氧化活性包装膜具备抗氧化的作用并具备缓释性。     

New advances in active packaging incorporated with essential oils or their main components for food preservation

The food industry is developing new packaging systems (active packaging) through the incorporation of essential oils or their main compounds into the films. This could confer them the antimicrobial and/or antioxidant properties already extensively described for these substances, improving the shelf life of perishable food products. However, a safe range of concentrations for their use in active food packaging should be established to reach the market proposals and avoid risks for consumers. The present work reviews the scientific literature concerning these two properties together with the toxic effects induced by these substances on human cell lines.     

Trends in the use of natural antioxidants in active food packaging: a review

The demand for natural antioxidant active packaging is increasing due to its unquestionable advantages compared with the addition of antioxidants directly to the food. Therefore, the search for antioxidants perceived as natural, namely those that naturally occur in herbs and spices, is a field attracting great interest. In line with this, in the last few years, natural antioxidants such as α-tocopherol, caffeic acid, catechin, quercetin, carvacrol and plant extracts (e.g. rosemary extract) have been incorporated into food packaging. On the other hand, consumers and the food industry are also interested in active biodegradable/compostable packaging and edible films to reduce environmental impact, minimise food loss and minimise contaminants from industrial production and reutilisation by-products. The present review focuses on the natural antioxidants already applied in active food packaging, and it reviews the methods used to determine the oxidation protection effect of antioxidant active films and the methods used to quantify natural antioxidants in food matrices or food simulants. Lastly consumers’ demands and industry trends are also addressed.     

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     

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...     

Recent advances in biobased and biodegradable polymer nanocomposites,nanoparticles, and natural antioxidants for antibacterial and antioxidant food packaging applications

Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) and natural antioxidant compounds are an emerging trend in the food industry. Incorporating these substances in biobased and biodegradable matrices as polysaccharides (e.g., starch, cellulose, and chitosan) and proteins has highlighted the potential in active food packaging applications due to more significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, UV blocking, oxygen scavenging, water vapor permeability effects, and low environmental impact. In recent years, the migration of metal NPs and metal oxides in food contact packaging and their toxicological potential have raised concerns about the safety of the nanomaterials. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the main biobased and biodegradable polymer nanocomposites, inorganic NPs, natural antioxidants, and their potential use in active food packaging. The intrinsic properties of NPs and natural antioxidant actives in packaging materials are evaluated to extend shelf-life, safety, and food quality. Toxicological and safety aspects of inorganic NPs are highlighted to understand the current controversy on applying some nanomaterials in food packaging. The synergism of inorganic NPs and plant-derived natural antioxidant actives (e.g., vitamins, polyphenols, and carotenoids) and essential oils (EOs) potentiated the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of biodegradable nanocomposite films. Biodegradable packaging films based on green NPs—this is biosynthesized from plant extracts–showed suitable mechanical and barrier properties and had a lower environmental impact and offered efficient food protection. Furthermore, AgNPs and TiO₂ NPs released metal ions from packaging into contents insufficiently to cause harm to human cells, which could be helpful to understanding critical gaps and provide progress in the packaging field.