Packaging and Food Applications

An overview of novel biodegradable polymers for food packaging has been presented (1). The factors influencing degradation and biodegradation of polymers in various environments have been pointed out. Notably, biodegradable polymers are an imperfect alternative for classical pol uners. 

In addition, there are various approaches in different coimtries to certify biodegradable polymer materials, which rather complicates than promotes their application. For example, Bangladesh does not allow bags made from poly(ethylene), whereas France inhibits only for non biodegradable grocery plastic bags. In Denmark and Ireland taxes for bags with a particular wall thickness have been introduced (1). 

Attention was already early focused to methods for the recycling of polymers mainly used for packaging by biological methods (2). 

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Additives are needed not only to make resins processable and to improve the properties of the moulded product during use. As the scope of plastics has increased, so has the range of additives for better mechanical properties, resistance to heat, light and weathering, flame retardancy, electrical conductivity, etc. The demands of packaging have produced additive systems to aid the efficient production of film, and have developed the general need for additives which are safe for use in packaging and other applications where there is direct contact with food or drink. 

On-line NPLC-GC-FID and/or FUR analysis has been used in discriminating between paraffin waxes and paraffin oils present in, or migrating between, food packaging and food simulants FID was used for quantitation [967]. In a typical application, online coupled LC-GC-F1D has also been used for the analysis of food contamination by mineral oil from printed cardboard [968]. The technique has revealed that many foods are contaminated with mineral oil products. Grob et al. [969] have determined mineral oil in canned food by on-line LC-LC-GC-F1D. DEHP was determined in salad oil by means of conventional LC-GC [970]. HPLC-GC-MS/MS (ion trap) can serve highly useful purposes in areas of applications such as impurity... 

Poly(vinyl acetate) polymers are environmentally friendly because they easily biodegrade. Poly(vinyl acetate) may be hydrolyzed to poly(vinyl alcohol) which is then assimilated by naturally occurring organisms. In the use of emulsion polymers, the associated components (stabilizers, initiators, etc) should be scrutinized for their effect on the environment. Poly(vinyl acetate) is nontoxic and is approved by the U.S. FDA for food-packaging (qv) applications (CFR 176.170,175.105). Components in the emulsion polymer system which may migrate from the film into the food may impact the approval of the total package. In food applications the impact on odor and taste of residual low molecular weight components may be important in the selection of a product for use. 

The main markets for PLA are thermoformed trays and containers for food packaging and food service applications. Other developing areas include films and labels, injection stretch blow moulded bottles and jars, specialty cards and fibres. 

Thermoformed trays and containers for food packaging and food service applications. 

NatureWorks currently offers two biodegradable polymer brands for packaging and fibre applications. NatureWorks PLA is used for manufacture of food packaging and serviceware. Ingeo PLA is used for manufacture of nonwoven textile fibres. 

Concentration is variable with time, Pick s second law Most interactions involving mass transfer between the packaging and food behave under non-steady state conditions and are referred to as migration. A number of solutions exist by integration of the diffusion equation 8.7 that are dependent on the so-called initial and boundary conditions of special applications. Many solutions are taken from analogous solutions of the heat conductance equation that has been known for many years ... 

DEP is used as a plasticizer to make plastics more flexible. Commonly found in products such as toothbrushes, automobile parts, tools, toys, and food packaging. Also used as a plasticizer in solid rocket propellants and cellulose ester plastics such as photographic films and sheets, blister packaging, and tape applications. 

Barrier polymers are used for many packaging and protective applications. As barriers they separate a system, such as an article of food or an electronic component, from an environment. That is, they limit the introduction of matter from the environment into the system or limit the loss of matter from the system or both. In many cases the environment is simply room air, but the environment can be very different, such as in the case of protecting a submerged system from water. 

PP is a commodity polymer used in mostly automobile applications (bumpers and interiors) and in packaging and food containers. Mica and talc are used as fillers (from 20% to 40%) to improve dimensional stability and mechanical... 

Nanocomposites are new entrants to the packaging arena. Ube industries in Japan, in collaboration with Toyota, has developed nanocomposite barrier films for food packaging and other applications. 

After an introductory section to the general aspects of the field, the first part of the book deals with the chemistry of biodegradable polymeric types in five comprehensive chapters. The second part of the book deals with the applications (packaging and food, medical) of biodegradable polymers as well as the synthesis of low molecular compounds, including bio-based fuels. 

Suppakul, R, MUtz, J., Sonneveld, K. et al., 2003. Active packaging technologies with an emphasis on antimicrobial packaging and its applications. Journal of Food Science, 68(2) 408-420. 

Among the several cellulose derivatives are xylan-type hemicelluloses, which are the most abundant heteropolysaccharides derived as by-products from agricultural processes. Over the past few years their use in food packaging and other applications has increased considerably [121]. Hemicelluloses such arabinoxylan are hydrophilic polysaccharides and their films tend to show high water uptake, becoming a drawback in the production of materials for the food sector. In order to improve both mechanical and barrier properties, Sarossy et al. [122] adopted the... 

A.L. Brody, E.R. Strupinsky and L.R. Kline, Active Packaging for Food Applications, Lancaster, PA, Technomic Publishing Co, 2001. 

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