The indiscriminate use of petroleum-derived packaging materials has led to a huge accumulation of plastic in landfills and the ocean. These materials have low degradability and are not significantly recycled, resulting in environmental pollution. To address this problem and meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging alternativesthe food industry is investing in the development of innovative solutions that preserve nutritional quality and organoleptic characteristics. One such solution is a biodegradable film made from a compound derived from limonene, the main component of citrus peel, and chitosan, a biopolymer derived from chitin present in crustaceans' exoskeletons.
Researchers from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering at the State University of Campinas (FEQ-UNICAMP) and the Center for Packaging Technology at the Food Institute Technology (ITAL) in São Paulo, Brazil, have developed this film. Their findings were published in an article titled “Poly(limonene): A new renewable oligomeric antioxidant and UV blocking additive for chitosan-based films.”
Limonene has been used previously in food packaging films due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, its volatility and instability during the manufacturing process limit its effectiveness. To overcome this challenge, the researchers used a derivative called poly(limonene), which is more stable than limonene.
Chitosan was chosen as the film matrix because it is a naturally occurring polymer with known antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The researchers hypothesized that combining limonene or poly(limonene) with chitosan would enhance their bioactive properties.
In the laboratory, different proportions of limonene or poly(limonene) were combined with chitosan through polymerization—a process where polymers are made from smaller organic molecules. The resulting films were then analyzed for various properties such as antioxidant capacity, protection against light and water vapor, resistance to high temperatures, and UV blocking capabilities.
The results were highly satisfactory. Films with the poly(limonene) additive outperformed those with limonene, especially in terms of antioxidant activity, which was about twice as potent. The substance also exhibited excellent UV blocking properties and was found to be non-volatile, making it suitable for large-scale packaging production.
While the films are not yet available for commercial use due to the limited production scale of chitosan-based plastic, the researchers are working on optimizing the poly(limonene) production process to improve its performance and test it during the manufacture of commercial packaging.
The development of this biodegradable film is a significant step towards reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable packaging practices in the food industry. By using renewable materials derived from citrus peel and crustacean shells, this film offers a more environmentally friendly alternative without compromising on food quality or safety.
According to sources close to the news, “Biodegradable Film Developed That Keeps Food Fresh for Longer,” this innovative solution has great potential to revolutionize the packaging industry by providing a sustainable and effective way to preserve food while minimizing environmental impact. As further research and development continue, we can look forward to seeing these biodegradable films become widely available in the near future.
Reference:
Gonçalves S de Á, Barbosa MHR, Marangoni Júnior L, Alves RMV, Vieira RP. Poly(limonene): A new renewable oligomeric antioxidant and UV blocking additive for chitosan-based films. Food Package Shelf Life. 2023;37:101085. doi: 10.1016/j.fpsl.2023.101085
This article was originally published by FAPESP Agency under Creative Commons License CC-BY-NC-ND. Read the original here: Technology Networks(https://agencia.fapesp.br/research-group-develops-biodegradable-film-that-keeps-food-fresh-for-longer/41850/).