Antimicrobial systems active packaging

Examples of active package/food systems are individually wrapped ready-to-eat meat products, or deli products, where antimicrobial agents may be initially incorporated into the packaging materials and migrate into... 

Modified polysaccharide biopolymers have found applications from permselective membranes to ionically conductive membranes for fuel cells. In this review, ionically selective membranes in particular will be explored. Recent studies and advances in using modified polysaccharides for food applications will also be reviewed with specific attention given to their potential uses in the development of active food packaging solutions, which include antimicrobial systems, coatings and bioactive compound delivery systems. 

Active packaging is the type of packaging that controls and reacts to events occuring inside the packaging. There are different types of active packaging systems, such as, antimicrobial packaging and the packaging that can provide a controlled gas environment for the food. 

Piercey, M.J., Mazzanti, G., Budge, S.M., Delaquis, P.J., Paulson, A.T., andTruelstrup Hansen, L. 2012. Antimicrobial activity of cyclodextrin entrapped allyl isothiocyanate in a model system and packaged fresh-cut onions. Food Microbiol. 30 213-221. 

An antimicrobial package is a form of active package, as it interacts with the product or the headspace between the package and the food system, to obtain a desired outcome [3]. Likewise, antimicrobial food packaging acts to reduce, inhibit or retard the growth of microorganisms that may be present in the packed food or the packaging material itself [4]. 

It is a type of active packaging in which antimicrobial agents are incorporated into the packaging system. The package interacts with food product to prevent microbial growth and extend the shelf-life of food. This system can be divided into two types... 

Some antioxidants possess antimicrobial properties, such as propyl gallate and butylated hydroxy anisole, which are somewhat effective against bacteria. Butylated hydroxy toluene has demonstrated some antiviral activity. Compatibility of antioxidants with the drug, packaging system and the body should be studied carefully. For example, tocopherols may be absorbed onto plastics ascorbic acid is incompatible with alkalis, heavy metals, and oxidizing materials such as phenylephrine, and sodium nitrite and propyl gallate forms complexes with metal ions such as sodium, potassium and iron. 

In the case of natural polymers, polysaccharides like cellulose and chitosan are widely studied as antimicrobial films and barrier/coating materials. The following section reviews the recent studies on cellulose and chitosan having current and potential use as antimicrobial material for active food packaging systems. 

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