Cellulose Antimicrobial packaging

Bacteriocins. Cellulose is often utilized in antimicrobial packaging systems as a carrier material for bacteriocins. Bacteriocins are peptides produced by bacteria to inhibit the growth of another closely-related bacteria or strain. Commercially, they are utilized in the medical field and as antimicrobial agents or preservatives of food products. 

Recently, an active antimicrobial packaging material has been successfully synthesized using methyl cellulose (MC) as the matrix with montomorillionite (MMT) as reinforcement (Tunc and Duman 2011). Carvacrol was then added to the as-prepared MMT/MC composite material to form nanocomposites. 

It can also be turned into thin sheets like cellophane (which is made from cellulose) and these are used to make slow-release capsules as well as packaging, which is especially useful because it has antimicrobial properties and so helps preserve the food it is protecting. 

Elegir G, Kindi A, Sadocco P et al (2008) Development of antimicrobial cellulose packaging through laccase-mediated grafting of phenolic compounds. Enzyme Microb Technol 43 84-92... 

The following sections of this chapter will look at recent developments of both cellulose and chitosan for specific application in water purification, energy and food storage as (1) permselective membranes for chemical sensing and polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells and (2) antimicrobial/lipid barrier films for active food packaging. 

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. 

The ongoing efforts have been promising, especially in the antimicrobial food packaging area. For this part, we would like to summarize the recent developments on antimicrobial systems utilizing chitosan, cellulose, their derivatives and blends (Table 3.3). 

Gemli, S. Yemenicioglu, A. Altmkaya, S.A. Development of cellulose acetate based antimicrobial food packaging materials for controlled release of lysozyme. J. Food Eng. 2009, 4, 453 62. 

Barhiroli, A., Bonomi, F., Capretti, G., lametti, S., Manzoni, M., Piergiovanni, L., Rollini, M., 2012. Antimicrobial activity of lysozyme and lactoferrin incorporated in cellulose-based food packaging, ood Control 26, 387—392. 

Antimicrobials that cannot tolerate the temperature used in the processing of packaging are often coated onto the material after forming or are added to cast films. Examples include nisin, an antibiotic, coated onto low-density polyethylene film in a methyl-cellulose carrier [4]. 

Abstract Biodegradable thermoplastic materials offer great potential to be used in food packaging or biomedical industry. In this chapter we will present a review of the research done on starch and starch nanocomposites. In the case of nanocomposites based on starch, special attention will be given to the influence of starch nanoparticles, cellulose whiskers, zinc oxide nanorods, antioxidants, and antimicrobial inclusion on the physicochemical properties of the materials. The discussion will be focused on structural, mechanical, and barrel properties as well as on degradation, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Finally, we will discuss our perspectives on how future research should be oriented to contribute in the substitution of synthetic materials with new econanocomposites. 

Coma V, Sebti I, Pardon P, Deschamps A, Pichavant EH (2001) Antimicrobial edible packaging based on cellulosic ethers, fatty acids, and nisin incorporation to inhibit ilisteria innocua and staphylococcus aureus. J Food Prot 64 470-475... 

Duncan TV (2011) Applications of nanotechnology in food packaging and food safety barrier materials, antimicrobials and sensors. J Colloid Interface Sci 363 1-24 Ek M, Gellerstedt G, Henriksson G (2009) Pulping chemistry and technology, vol 2 Elazzouzi-Hafraoui S, Nishiyama Y, Putaux J-L, Heux L, Dubreuil F, Rochas C (2007) The shape and size distribution of crystalline nanoparticles prepared by acid hydrolysis of native cellulose. Biomacromolecules 9(l) 57-65... 

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