https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/bitstream/2438/18351/1/FullText.pdf

An overview of chemical additives present in plastics: Migration, release, fate and environmental impact during their use, disposal and recycling.

Bio-nanocomposites for food packaging applications

The Institute of Food Technologists has issued this Scientific Status Summary to update readers on food packaging and its impact on the environment.

http://www.petrops.com/Files/article_pdf/food%20packaging.pdf

Food packaging--roles, materials, and environmental issues.

Environmental, economic, and safety challenges have provoked packaging scientists and producers to partially substitute petrochemical-based polymers with biodegradable ones. The general purpose of this review is to introduce poly-lactic acid (PLA), a compostable, biodegradable thermoplastic made from renewable sources. PLA properties and modifications via different methods, like using modifiers, blending, copolymerizing, and physical treatments, are mentioned; these are rarely discussed together in other reviews. Industrial processing methods for producing different PLA films, wrappings, laminates, containers (bottles and cups), are presented. The capabilities of PLA for being a strong active packaging material in different areas requiring antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics are discussed. Consequently, applications of nanomaterials in combination with PLA structures for creating new PLA nanocomposites with greater abilities are also covered. These approaches may modify PLA weaknesses for some food packaging applications. Nanotechnology approaches are being broadened in food science, especially in packaging material science with high performances and low concentrations and prices, so this category of nano-research is estimated to be revolutionary in food packaging science in the near future. The linkage of a 100% bio-originated material and nanomaterials opens new windows for becoming independent, primarily, of petrochemical-based polymers and, secondarily, for answering environmental and health concerns will undoubtedly be growing with time.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2010.00126.x

Poly-Lactic Acid: Production, Applications, Nanocomposites, and Release Studies.

https://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/bitstream/doc/579864/1/PA09005.pdf

Nanocomposites for food packaging applications

This paper presents laboratory results of titanium passivated and chromium passivated tinplate specimens lacquered in industrial lines. The lacquered materials were characterised and evaluated in terms of the chemical characteristics of the lacquer; its degree of curing; adhesion; porosity; corrosion resistance in synthetic food media; atmospheric corrosion susceptibility; and sulphur staining tendencies. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiments were performed to assess corrosion protection capacity. Food cans manufactured from the lacquered materials were packed with sardines in olive oil and with tomato paste and shelf life tests were performed for up to 6 months, studying the inside of the cans by SEM and EDX techniques. Titanium passivated tinplate seems to be an acceptable alternative to conventional chromium passivated tinplate for food can applications.

Titanium passivated lacquered tinplate cans in contact with foods

Advances in packaging technologies for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Great attention is being paid to the potential applications of antimicrobial active packages that have resulted in diverse packaging systems commercialized for improved preservation of food products. This chapter reviews novel developments which make use of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOH) as polymeric matrices for the design of antimicrobial active packages. EVOH copolymers are a family of materials that are widely used in package manufacturing, thanks to their excellent barrier properties to gases and organic vapors. They are highly hydrophilic and, in humid environments, tend to sorb large amounts of water, suffering a severe plasticization. This affects mechanical and barrier properties, and is commonly avoided by protecting EVOH between polyolefin layers. However, this water sensitivity can be beneficial, because plasticization can be used as a triggering mechanism in active packaging. Some of the antimicrobial active developments which make use of EVOH copolymers are reviewed in this chapter.

Antimicrobial Active Packaging Systems Based on EVOH Copolymers

High-Barrier Polymers for the Design of Food Packages

Publisher Summary This chapter presents some recent developments in active packaging based on the use of biopolymers. Active packaging means a food/package/environment system that works in a coordinated way to improve the quality and safety of the packaged food and increase its shelf-life. Many different types of active packaging have been proposed for combating different food quality loss or deterioration problems. They include controlling the gases inside the package, regulating the moisture content, adding chemical preservatives, adding aromas, removing foreign odors and undesirable substances, and controlling microbiological contamination. The materials used as substrates are generally conventional synthetic polymers. Active packages to control microbiological contamination and oxidation problems in packaged foods are currently the types of active packaging with the greatest degree of development and commercial introduction. Other active systems are also receiving attention, including those that try to retain or add components that may be beneficial for maintaining the quality or safety of the packaged foods, such as ethylene control, moisture regulation, the addition of aromas or the removal of foreign odors and undesirable substances.

Ramón Catalá

Papers

Titanium passivated lacquered tinplate cans in contact with foods

Advances in packaging technologies for fresh fruits and vegetables.

Antimicrobial Active Packaging Systems Based on EVOH Copolymers

High-Barrier Polymers for the Design of Food Packages

Active environmentally compatible food packaging