BIODEGRADABLE FUNCTIONALIZED POLYMERIC MATERIALS FOR FOOD PACKAGING APPLICATIONS Paul Alexandru POPESCU1, Mona Elena POPA1 1Faculty
of Biotechnology, University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania Corresponding author:
[email protected]
INTRODUCTION A wide variety of synthetic petroleum-based polymers are produced around the world and the vast majority of these polymers are introduced into the ecosystem as industrial waste. Between 1980 and 2016, 300 million tons of plastic material was thrown into the environment, so the need to develop new biopolymers is critical for the packaging industry.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Biopolymers and bio composite materials have been described as sustainable materials in terms of the use as renewable resources with low ecotoxicity and biodegradability properties as opposed to traditional synthetic polymers and composite materials reinforced with synthetic fibres. Research and development of biodegradable functionalized polymeric materials with antimicrobial proprieties for food applications such as packaging and other food contact surfaces is expected to grow in the next decade with the advent of new polymer materials and antimicrobials. One great example of combining biodegradable polymeric matrices with an active component is integrating chitosan in the polymeric matrice. Chitosan has a great potential for a wide range of applications due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, non-toxicity and versatile chemical and physical properties.
Biodegradable polymers
Active packaging
Disposable tableware
Ethylene absorbers
Biowaste bags
Oxygen absorbers
Carrier bags
Edible films
Food packaging
MAP packaging
Flexible packaging
Antimicrobial packaging RESULTS
In recent years, research in the field of biopolymers has been concentrated on obtaining 100% organic composite materials by replacing non-biodegradable polymer matrices with biodegradable matrices. There are several biodegradable natural polymers derived such as polysaccharides (starch, chitin, cellulose, chitosan, etc.), proteins (casein, collagen, gluten, gelatine), polyesters (polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyhydroxybutyrate, polylactic acid) fats and oils, natural rubber.
CONCLUSIONS So far, the most studied bio-nanocomposites suitable for packaging applications are starch and cellulose derivatives, and those based on polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(butylenesuccinate) (PBS) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). These composites can be used with active packaging technologies such as ethylene absorbers, oxygen removers, edible films or antimicrobial agents in order to create biodegradable functionalized polymeric materials. Bibliography: 1. Jong-Whan Rhim, Hwan-Man Park, Chang-Sik Ha, 2013. Bio-nanocomposites for food packaging applications, Progress in Polymer Science, Volume 38, Issues 10–11, Pag. 1629-1652. 2. Caio G.Otoni, Paula J.P.Espitia, Roberto J.Avena-Bustillos, Tara H. McHugh, 2016. Trends in antimicrobial food packaging systems, Volume 83, May 2016, Pag. 60-73 3. P.K.Dutta, Shipra Tripathi, G.K.Mehrotra, Joydeep Dutta, 2009. Perspectives for chitosan based antimicrobial films in food applications, Vol. 114, Issue 4, Pag. 1173-1182.
