Functional Coatings For Food Packaging Applications

The food packaging industry is experiencing one of the most relevant revolutions associated with the transition from fossil-based polymers to new materials of renewable origin. However, high production costs, low performance, and ethical issues still hinder the market penetration of bioplastics. Recently, coating technology was proposed as an additional strategy for achieving a more rational use of the materials used within the food packaging sector. According to the packaging optimization concept, the use of multifunctional thin layers would enable the replacement of multi-layer and heavy structures, thus reducing the upstream amount of packaging materials while maintaining (or even improving) the functional properties of the final package to pursue the goal of overall shelf life extension. Concurrently, the increasing requirements among consumers for convenience, smaller package sizes, and for minimally processed, fresh, and healthy foods have necessitated the design of highly sophisticated and engineered coatings. To this end, new chemical pathways, new raw materials (e.g., biopolymers), and non-conventional deposition technologies have been used. Nanotechnology, in particular, paved the way for the development of new architectures and never-before-seen patterns that eventually yielded nanostructured and nanocomposite coatings with outstanding performance. This book covers the most recent advances in the coating technology applied to the food packaging sector, with special emphasis on active coatings and barrier coatings intended for the shelf life extension of perishable foods.

The food packaging industry is experiencing one of the most relevant revolutions associated with the transition from fossil-based polymers to new materials of renewable origin. However, high production costs, low performance, and ethical issues still hinder the market penetration of bioplastics. Recently, coating technology was proposed as an additional strategy for achieving a more rational use of the materials used within the food packaging sector. According to the packaging optimization concept, the use of multifunctional thin layers would enable the replacement of multi-layer and heavy structures, thus reducing the upstream amount of packaging materials while maintaining (or even improving) the functional properties of the final package to pursue the goal of overall shelf life extension. Concurrently, the increasing requirements among consumers for convenience, smaller package sizes, and for minimally processed, fresh, and healthy foods have necessitated the design of highly sophisticated and engineered coatings. To this end, new chemical pathways, new raw materials (e.g., biopolymers), and non-conventional deposition technologies have been used. Nanotechnology, in particular, paved the way for the development of new architectures and never-before-seen patterns that eventually yielded nanostructured and nanocomposite coatings with outstanding performance. This book covers the most recent advances in the coating technology applied to the food packaging sector, with special emphasis on active coatings and barrier coatings intended for the shelf life extension of perishable foods.

Edible films and coatings play an important role in the quality, safety, transportation, storage, and display of a wide range of fresh and processed foods. Edible films and coatings, while preventing moisture loss and maintaining quality, prevent spoilage and microbial contamination of foods. The edible film and coating industry is now a multimillion dollar industry. Less than $1 million in 1999, the market has grown to more than $100 million and is expected to grow to $350 million by 2008, according to James Rossman of Rossman Consulting. Pharmaceutical and consumer products have been responsible for the tremendous increase. This growth has produced an enormous amount of scientific articles, patents, and research projects undertaken by members of the food industry, academia, and research institutions. Edible Films and Coatings for Food Applications brings together this vast wealth of scientific knowledge in a systematically organized volume. It examines the science, application, function, and market for edible films and coatings.

Biopolymer-Based Food Packaging Explore the latest developments and advancements in biopolymer-based food packaging In Biopolymer-Based Food Packaging: Innovations and Technology Applications, a team of accomplished researchers delivers a complete, systematic, and sequential account of the contemporary developments in the application of biopolymers for sustainable food packaging. This book introduces the fabrication, characterization as well as benefits arising from the enhanced functionalities of biopolymer-based food packaging materials. The authors introduce various polysaccharide, protein, and microbial polymer-based food packaging films and coatings, as well as biopolymer-based blends and nanocomposites. Importance of these materials as active and intelligent food packaging systems is also introduced. Finally, the book explores biopolymer-based edible food packaging, and its efficacy in extending the shelf-life of perishable food items using sustainable materials and processes suitable for the future of circular economies around the world. Readers will also find: A thorough introduction to the incorporation of nanomaterials as fillers to improve the physico-chemical, mechanical, thermal, barrier, optical, and antimicrobial properties of food packaging nanocomposites Comprehensive discussions of the use of plant-based bioactive compounds, including essential oils, in biopolymer-based food packaging Practical examinations of silver and zinc oxide nanoparticles in food packaging In-depth treatments of polylactic acid-based composites for food packaging applications Biopolymer-Based Food Packaging: Innovations and Technology Applications is an invaluable resource for academic researchers and professionals in food packaging and related industries, as well as research scholars, graduate students, and entrepreneurs working and studying in the field of food preservation, environmental safety, and human health with a focus on the sustainable future.

Because of the increasing pressure on both food safety and packaging/food waste, the topic is important both for academics, applied research, industry and also for environment protection. Different materials, such as glass, metals, paper and paperboards, and non-degradable and degradable polymers, with versatile properties, are attractive for potential uses in food packaging. Food packaging is the largest area of application within the food sector. Only the nanotechnology-enabled products in the food sector account for ~50% of the market value, with and the annual growth rate is 11.65%. Technological developments are also of great interest. In the food sector, nanotechnology is involved in packaging materials with extremely high gas barriers, antimicrobial properties, and also in nanoencapsulants for the delivery of nutrients, flavors, or aromas, antimicrobial, and antioxidant compounds. Applications of materials, including nanomaterials in packaging and food safety, are in forms of: edible films, polymer nanocomposites, as high barrier packaging materials, nanocoatings, surface biocides, silver nanoparticles as potent antimicrobial agents, nutrition and neutraceuticals, active/bioactive packaging, intelligent packaging, nanosensors and nanomaterial-based assays for the detection of food relevant analytes (gasses, small organic molecules and food-borne pathogens) and bioplastics.

Nanotechnology-Enhanced Food Packaging Timely overview of functional food packaging made with nanotechnology and nanomaterials In Nanotechnology-Enhanced Food Packaging, a distinguished group of researchers delivers a comprehensive and insightful introduction to the application of nanomaterials in food packaging. This edited volume covers recent innovations—as well as future perspectives—in the industry and offers a complete overview of different types of nanomaterials used in food packaging. The book also discusses the use of nanoparticles in the development of active and functional food packaging and the related environmental and toxicological aspects. Featuring one-of-a-kind contributions from leaders in the field, Nanotechnology-Enhanced Food Packaging provides real-world solutions to food packaging challenges and considers the legislative and economic implications of new technologies. Among the new developments in nanotechnology-enhanced food packaging covered by the book are: Thorough introduction to biopolymers in food packaging systems and nanostructures based on starch, their preparation, processing, and applications in packaging Comprehensive explorations of chitosan-based nanoparticles and their applications in the food industry Practical discussions of active packaging systems based on metal oxide nanoparticles and an overview of higher barrier packaging using nano-additives In-depth examinations of the characterization techniques for nanostructures in food packaging Perfect for materials scientists, food technologists, and polymer chemists, Nanotechnology-Enhanced Food Packaging also belongs on the bookshelves of plastics technologists and allied professionals in the food industry.

Innovations in Food Packaging addresses selective topics of functions of food packaging to modify the traditional notion of this process. This book is organized into five parts. Part I focuses on the fundamental theories covering physical chemistry background and quality preservation of foods. Parts II and III discuss active packaging research and development and modified atmosphere packaging of fresh produce, meats, and ready-to-eat products, respectively. Part IV talks about edible and biodegradable coatings and films, whereas Part V discusses commercialization aspects of packaging technologies. Each part is divided into chapters of subject review and detailed technical information. This text will benefit those who are interested in innovative technology of food packaging in general, and experienced field packaging specialists and graduate-level food scientists in particular. This book will be useful as a textbook not only for extension programs of food packaging development in food industry, but also for advanced graduate-level food packaging courses. Covers four major food packaging topics: * Theories in food packaging * Active packaging * Modified atmosphere packaging * Edible films and coatings

The search for better strategies to preserve foods with minimal changes during processing has been of great interest in recent decades. Traditionally, edible films and coatings have been used as a partial barrier to moisture, oxygen, and carbon dioxide through selective permeability to gases, as well as improving mechanical handling properties. The advances in this area have been breathtaking, and in fact their implementation in the industry is already a reality. Even so, there are still new developments in various fields and from various perspectives worth reporting. Edible Films and Coatings: Fundamentals and Applications discusses the newest generation of edible films and coatings that are being especially designed to allow the incorporation and/or controlled release of specific additives by means of nanoencapsulation, layer-by-layer assembly, and other promising technologies. Covering the latest novelties in research conducted in the field of edible packaging, it considers state-of-the-art innovations in coatings and films; novel applications, particularly in the design of gourmet foods; new advances in the incorporation of bioactive compounds; and potential applications in agronomy, an as yet little explored area, which could provide considerable advances in the preservation and quality of foods in the field.