Global Journal of Research and Review

Functionalized biodegradable polymers with antimicrobial for sustainable food packaging

Joint Event: 21^st International Conference and Exhibition on Materials Science and Chemistry & 33^rd Annual European Pharma Congress & 5^th World Summit on Renewable Energy
March 13-14, 2023 | Frankfurt, Germany

Nathdanai Harnkarnsujarit

Kasetsart University, Thailand

Keynote: Glob J Res Rev

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers have been largely produced and utilized for flexible and rigid packaging which support consumers’ requirement on sustainability and environmentally friendly. However, these sustainable materials have poor barrier properties which are a major limitation for utilization as food packaging. Microbial growth is a primary concern for quality deteriorations of packaged food with high water activity. Decontamination of microorganisms on food surface possibly delays quality loss and ensure safety for consumers. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate incorporations of antimicrobial into biodegradable polymers via extrusion process to produce functional packaging. Characterizations of packaging materials including morphology, properties and antimicrobial efficiency are demonstrated. The biodegradable polymers including Thermo Plastic Starch (TPS), Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT) and Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) were compounded with antimicrobial agents (sodium nitrite, Galangal essential oils) via a twin-screw extruder to produce the compound pellets prior to convert into films with either single-screw blown-film extrusion or cast sheet extrusion. Results showed that nitrite increased disruption of starch granules in TPS/PBAT blends which modified morphology and mechanical properties. Smoother microstructures in nitrite incorporated films reflected improved compatibility between TPS and PBAT polymer blends. Moreover, nitrite plasticized TPS phase due to hydrophilicity. Similarly, lesser galangal essential oils served as plasticizers in PBAT/ PLA blend matrices with slight modifications of morphology. Increasing these active agents commonly gave larger modification of morphology which subsequently impacted packaging properties. The films containing sodium nitrite and Galangal essential oils effectively delayed microbial growth in fresh meat and cooked rice, respectively. The functionalized of antimicrobial agents into biodegradables polymers effectively produced food packaging which can extend the shelf-life of packaged products, reducing food loss for sustainability

Biography

Nathdanai Harnkarnsujarit is an Associate Professor in Packaging Technology. He got PhD in Food Science in 2012 from Kasetsart University, Thailand. During his PhD, he did research at University College Cork, Ireland in 2011 about Food Material Science. After getting PhD, he went to Tokyo, Japan for post-doctoral research at Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology from 2012-2014. Then, he started his academic career at Kasetsart University. His current research and expertise are food packaging and biodegradable packaging. He is the authors of more than 40 international publications and 3 Book chapters. He serves as reviewer for several publishers including Elsevier and Wiley and has been an Editor for the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (Q1), Wiley publishing since 2015. He is now Vice Dean for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University.