Marina Ramos

Development of novel nano-biocomposite antioxidant films based on poly (lactic acid) and thymol for active packaging

Novel nano-biocomposite films based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) were prepared by incorporating thymol, as the active additive, and modified montmorillonite (D43B) at two different concentrations. A complete thermal, structural, mechanical and functional characterization of all nano-biocomposites was carried out. Thermal stability was not significantly affected by the addition of thymol, but the incorporation of D43B improved mechanical properties and reduced the oxygen transmission rate by the formation of intercalated structures, as suggested by wide angle X-ray scattering patterns and transmission electron microscopy images. The addition of thymol decreased the PLA glass transition temperature, as the result of the polymer plasticization, and led to modification of the elastic modulus and elongation at break. Finally, the amount of thymol remaining in these formulations was determined by liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV) and the antioxidant activity by the DPPH spectroscopic method, suggesting that the formulated nano-biocomposites could be considered a promising antioxidant active packaging material.

Natural additives and agricultural wastes in biopolymer formulations for food packaging

The main directions in food packaging research are targeted toward improvements in food quality and food safety. For this purpose, food packaging providing longer product shelf-life, as well as the monitoring of safety and quality based upon international standards, is desirable. New active packaging strategies represent a key area of development in new multifunctional materials where the use of natural additives and/or agricultural wastes is getting increasing interest. The development of new materials, and particularly innovative biopolymer formulations, can help to address these requirements and also with other packaging functions such as: food protection and preservation, marketing and smart communication to consumers. The use of biocomposites for active food packaging is one of the most studied approaches in the last years on materials in contact with food. Applications of these innovative biocomposites could help to provide new food packaging materials with improved mechanical, barrier, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. From the food industry standpoint, concerns such as the safety and risk associated with these new additives, migration properties and possible human ingestion and regulations need to be considered. The latest innovations in the use of these innovative formulations to obtain biocomposites are reported in this review. Legislative issues related to the use of natural additives and agricultural wastes in food packaging systems are also discussed.

Use of herbs, spices and their bioactive compounds in active food packaging

The interest and societal demand on the use of natural, biodegradable and renewable resources has increased in the last few years. In addition, food producers and consumers have improved their requirements for the quality of processed food, particularly in the field of increasing shelf-life while preserving organoleptic and nutritional properties. Active packaging technologies have greatly developed in the last decade by trying to satisfy the need for long-life processed food in addition to antioxidant/antimicrobial components in the packaging material. These components are intended to be released in a controlled way to food. These rising trends have been reflected in the field of food packaging by the use of chemicals extracted and obtained from plants in active packaging formulations. Herbs and spices have shown great potential to be used as renewable, biodegradable and valuable sources of chemicals, such as polyphenols, with high antioxidant/antimicrobial performance. This review aims to present the latest published work in this area.

Active Nanocomposites in Food Contact Materials

The traditional application of food packaging materials as mere containers without food interaction has changed to the new concept of active packaging, where interactions between food, packaging materials and the environment increase food quality and shelf-life. This concept takes also into consideration the consumer safety and the nutritional characteristics of food. This has led to the design of active nanocomposites that improve the structural integrity and barrier properties of the packaging materials by the addition of nanomaterials such as nanoclays or metal nanoparticles, and that also increase their antimicrobial and antioxidant performance sing active additives and nanofillers. Here we review active nanocomposites in food packaging. We discuss the relevance, advantages, and limitations of active nanocomposites with respect to their safety and migration regulations.

Carvacrol-Based Films: Usage and Potential in Antimicrobial Packaging

Antimicrobial compounds can help control microbial activity and target specific microorganisms to provide high safety and quality products. For this reason, new technologies based on antimicrobial active packaging have attracted much attention from the food industry because they could satisfy increasing consumer demand for minimally processed and preservative-free products. Carvacrol has been suggested as one of the most promising antimicrobial agents, and it has been combined with different polymers to achieve antimicrobial packaging systems with particular properties. This chapter provides a summary of the wide variety of antimicrobial packaging materials containing carvacrol. Particular attention has been paid to the legal aspects introduced by several countries considering the potential market of the active carvacrol-packaging systems applied to the food sector.Abstract Antimicrobial compounds can help control microbial activity and target specific microorganisms to provide high safety and quality products. For this reason, new technologies based on antimicrobial active packaging have attracted much attention from the food industry because they could satisfy increasing consumer demand for minimally processed and preservative-free products. Carvacrol has been suggested as one of the most promising antimicrobial agents, and it has been combined with different polymers to achieve antimicrobial packaging systems with particular properties. This chapter provides a summary of the wide variety of antimicrobial packaging materials containing carvacrol. Particular attention has been paid to the legal aspects introduced by several countries considering the potential market of the active carvacrol-packaging systems applied to the food sector.

Multifunctional Applications of Nanocellulose-Based Nanocomposites

Nanocellulose is considered a sustainable nanomaterial due to its availability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. It exists in a number of forms, including nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC), nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) or cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), and bacterial cellulose (BC). Nanocellulose can be used to reinforce polymers, paper, and membranes, resulting in biodegradable and environmentally friendly bionanocomposites with remarkable improvement in material properties as compared to polymer matrices of conventional macro-composite materials. These improvements are attributed to the excellent properties of cellulose fibers, including high modulus, high tensile strength, and good barrier properties, as well as ease for chemical surface modification. The aim of this chapter is to review recent developments in cellulose-based nanomaterials for multifunctional applications in different fields.

Polymers Extracted from Biomass

The accumulation of non-biodegradable plastics in the environment, raising the issue of waste disposal, joined to the growing concerns about the high dependence on petroleum-based materials has led to the development of new bio-based polymers obtained directly from biomass. Unlike the chemically synthesized polymers, bioplastics are produced by living organisms, such as plants, fungi, or bacteria. This article describes the structure, properties, and sources of the main bio-based polymers, in particular, polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and polyesters. Their application for the development of new biomass-based advanced biomaterials is reviewed with particular interest in food technologies.

Cellulose acetate/AgNPs-organoclay and/or thymol nano-biocomposite films with combined antimicrobial/antioxidant properties for active food packaging use

Nano-biocomposite films based on plasticized cellulose acetate/triethyl citrate (CA/TEC) were prepared with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)/gelatin-modified montmorillonite nanofiller (AgM) and thymol (Th). AgNPs were biosynthesized in situ the clay using Curcuma longa (C. longa) tuber extract. Full characterization of clay and the formulated films was conducted including morphological, physical and functional properties. From the results, the AgNPs showed spherical shape, face centred cubic crystalline structure, and small average size with narrow distribution. Intercalated structure of films was achieved with some exfoliated platelets and clay aggregates. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of CA increased slightly by the added clay but decreased by Th due to its plasticizing effect. Also, the thermal stability of CA was enhanced only by the added clay. Increasing contents of both additives into films declined the optical clarity but enhanced greatly the UV barrier ability. The clay improved the tensile and oxygen barrier properties, while the Th initiated an antagonist effect. Besides, the radical 2,2‑diphenyl‑1‑picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) tests highlighted antioxidant activities of Th-included films. The films showed antimicrobial activities against bacteria and fungi, where Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the most sensitive, with an efficient growth inhibition in vapour-phase method. These materials with antimicrobial/antioxidant properties are promising active packaging.

Recent Trends in Microencapsulation for Smart and Active Innovative Textile Products

Authors would like to acknowledge the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness for financial support (Refs. MAT2014-59242-C2-2-R and MAT2014-55778-REDT).

Packaging for Drinks

The primary function of packaging is to contain and protect the product from damage or degradation processes, maintaining its safety and quality and ensuring it reaches the consumer in the same condition as when it was produced and throughout its shelf life. This article describes new trends in packaging for drinks, focusing on different packaging formats currently used, including a wide variety of materials which can offer different properties to maintain drink quality and freshness during the whole commercial cycle. New developments based on active packaging systems and technologies for reducing the volume of raw materials are also reviewed. Finally, recycling of beverage packaging and up-to-date legislation are discussed.