Application of Biopolymer-Based Food Packaging Films to Extend Shelf Life of Perishable Products

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Packaging and Preservation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2024 | Viewed by 6679

Special Issue Editors

BioNanocomposite Research Center, Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Interests: sustainable biopolymers; bionanocomposite materials; antibacterial food packaging; active food packaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
School of Food Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Interests: post-harvest fruit physiology; fresh product preservation; biodegradable food packaging films; food packaging film performance enhancement technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In people’s daily diets, fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry, seafood and cheese are perishable. Food packaging films can extend the shelf life of perishable products by providing protection and barriers. In recent years, the non-degradable nature of petroleum-based plastic food packaging film has caused some serious environmental problems. In addition, many studies have focused on the entry of microplastic particles in food into human tissues caused by plastic food packaging, which may cause adverse health effects. Therefore, the design and development of biopolymer-based food packaging materials represent a current imperative for the food industry. Sustainable biopolymer molecules with good film-forming properties, such as proteins, polysaccharides, microorganisms and chemically derived materials, are being used to develop food packaging materials and have shown promising food preservative results. Thus, the aim of this Special Issue is to provide readers with an extensive overview of the recent developments and advancements in biopolymer-based food packaging films in extending the shelf life of perishable products. Therefore, we cordially invite authors to contribute original research articles and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Jong-Whan Rhim
Dr. Wanli Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • sustainability
  • biopolymer
  • food packaging
  • shelf life
  • perishable products

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3345 KiB  
Article
Application of Tannic Acid and Fe3+ Crosslinking-Enhanced Pectin Films for Passion Fruit Preservation
by Jun Yang, Wenjin Cai, Mohammad Rizwan Khan, Naushad Ahmad, Zhengke Zhang, Lanhuan Meng and Wanli Zhang
Foods 2023, 12(18), 3336; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12183336 - 06 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1197
Abstract
In this work, the role of tannic acid (TA) and Fe3+ in crosslinking pectin (PE) to enhance its physicochemical properties was investigated. Specifically, PE/TA/Fe3+ composite films were prepared using the solution casting method, and the UV-blocking properties, transparency, water content, physico-mechanical [...] Read more.
In this work, the role of tannic acid (TA) and Fe3+ in crosslinking pectin (PE) to enhance its physicochemical properties was investigated. Specifically, PE/TA/Fe3+ composite films were prepared using the solution casting method, and the UV-blocking properties, transparency, water content, physico-mechanical properties, antioxidant properties and degradability of the PE composite films were investigated. The microstructure of the PE composite films and the interactions between the contained components were analyzed using FTIR, X_crystal diffraction and SEM scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the addition of TA and Fe3+ can significantly improve the UV barrier properties and antioxidant properties of PE films. Meanwhile, Fe3+ could form a metal phenol network with TA and crosslink with the PE film, which makes the structure of the PE film denser and thus significantly reduces the water vapor permeability of the PE film. In addition, this work also indicated that the PE composite coatings have a favorable preservation effect on passion fruit, which leads to the lowest weight loss rate and wrinkle index of the passion fruit within 7 days of storage and shows good appearance quality and commercial value. This work indicates that the addition of tannic acid and Fe3+ significantly improved the mechanical and barrier properties of pectin films, and the composite pectin coating extended the shelf life of passion fruit. Full article
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12 pages, 4788 KiB  
Article
Facile Synthesis of Ag NP Films via Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly and the BA-Sensing Properties
by Jiahang Yu, Huixin Tian, Mingyuan Huang and Xinglian Xu
Foods 2023, 12(6), 1285; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12061285 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1071
Abstract
Herein, we design and prepare large-area silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) films based on evaporation-induced self-assembly, which offers the visual and real-time detection of chilled broiler meat freshness. The color change is based on the fact that an increase in the biogenic amine (BA) [...] Read more.
Herein, we design and prepare large-area silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) films based on evaporation-induced self-assembly, which offers the visual and real-time detection of chilled broiler meat freshness. The color change is based on the fact that an increase in the biogenic amine (BA) concentration causes a change in the absorption wavelength of Ag NPs caused by aggregation and etch of the Ag NPs, resulting in a yellow to brown color change, thus enabling a naked-eye readout of the BA exposure. The Ag NP films exhibit a rapid, sensitive, and linear response to BAs in a wide detection range of 2 µM to 100 µM. The Ag NP films are successfully applied as a quick-response, online, high-contrasting colorimetric sensor for visual detection of the freshness of chilled broiler meat. Full article
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Review

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38 pages, 19337 KiB  
Review
The Mechanisms of Plastic Food-Packaging Monomers’ Migration into Food Matrix and the Implications on Human Health
by Celia Muzeza, Veronica Ngole-Jeme and Titus Alfred Makudali Msagati
Foods 2023, 12(18), 3364; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12183364 - 07 Sep 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3858
Abstract
The development of packaging technology has become a crucial part of the food industry in today’s modern societies, which are characterized by technological advancements, industrialization, densely populated cities, and scientific advancements that have increased food production over the past 50 years despite the [...] Read more.
The development of packaging technology has become a crucial part of the food industry in today’s modern societies, which are characterized by technological advancements, industrialization, densely populated cities, and scientific advancements that have increased food production over the past 50 years despite the lack of agricultural land. Various types of food-packaging materials are utilized, with plastic being the most versatile. However, there are certain concerns with regards to the usage of plastic packaging because of unreacted monomers’ potential migration from the polymer packaging to the food. The magnitude of monomer migration depends on numerous aspects, including the monomer chemistry, type of plastic packaging, physical–chemical parameters such as the temperature and pH, and food chemistry. The major concern for the presence of packaging monomers in food is that some monomers are endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) with a capability to interfere with the functioning of vital hormonal systems in the human body. For this reason, different countries have resolved to enforce guidelines and regulations for packaging monomers in food. Additionally, many countries have introduced migration testing procedures and safe limits for packaging monomer migration into food. However, to date, several research studies have reported levels of monomer migration above the set migration limits due to leaching from the food-packaging materials into the food. This raises concerns regarding possible health effects on consumers. This paper provides a critical review on plastic food-contact materials’ monomer migration, including that from biodegradable plastic packaging, the monomer migration mechanisms, the monomer migration chemistry, the key factors that affect the migration process, and the associated potential EDC human health risks linked to monomers’ presence in food. The aim is to contribute to the existing knowledge and understanding of plastic food-packaging monomer migration. Full article
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