Efficient Eco-Friendly Nano-Extracted Gelatin as Biodegradable Packaging Material

Extracted gelatin from the waste of fresh and grilled chicken skin was used to prepare films as a biodegradable packaging material from solutions of various gelatin concentrations using a casting approach. The thermal behavior of extracted gelatins was investigated by differential scanning calorimetric. The particle size and zeta potential of dispersed nanoparticles of gelatins were measured by dynamic light scattering. The surface area of lyophilized gelatin nanoparticles was calculated from the adsorption of N2 gas. Mechanical properties, water vapor permeability (WVP), and oil uptake (OU) of all manufactured films were studied. Tensile strength values significantly increased for films manufactured from both gelatin sources when the concentration increased from 4 % to 6 % up to 5.1 MPa. The elongation of waste skin gelatin-based films was higher than waste grilled skin gelatin (WG)-based films using 4 % and 8 % concentrations up to 57 %. Films manufactured from WG had significantly lower WVP than waste skin gelatin (WS) analogous at a 4 % gelatin concentration. The WVP of films manufactured from gelatin significantly increased as gelatin concentration increased where OU showed higher oil resistance for films manufactured from WS up to 91 % using 4 % gelatin concentration. The morphological structure of the gelatin film was investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A homogenized and smooth film surface was observed. The percentage of heavy metal was examined by inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The results of this study showed that the films manufactured using higher concentrations of gelatin possessed promising mechanical properties, good barrier properties, and high safety as a recommended biopolymer packaging material for food contact and pharmaceutical applications.

Physical-Mechanical Behavior and Water-Barrier Properties of Biopolymers-Clay Nanocomposites

The preparation and characterization of biodegradable films based on starch-PVA-nanoclay by solvent casting are reported in this study. The films were prepared with a relation of 3:2 of starch:PVA and nanoclay (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% w/v), and glycerol as plasticizer. The nanoclays before being incorporated in the filmogenic solution of starch-PVA were dispersed in two ways: by magnetic stirring and by sonication. The SEM results suggest that the sonication of nanoclay is necessary to reach a good dispersion along the polymeric matrix. FTIR results of films with 1.0 and 1.5% w/v of sonicated nanoclay suggest a strong interaction of hydrogen bond with the polymeric matrix of starch-PVA. However, the properties of WVP, tensile strength, percentage of elongation at break, and Young’s modulus improved to the film with sonicated nanoclay at 0.5% w/v, while in films with 1.0 and 1.5% w/w these properties were even worse than in film without nanoclay. Nanoclay concentrations higher than 1.0 w/v saturate the polymer matrix, affecting the physicochemical properties. Accordingly, the successful incorporation of nanoclays at 0.5% w/v into the matrix starch-PVA suggests that this film is a good candidate for use as biodegradable packaging.

Assessment of the Decomposition of Oxo- and Biodegradable Packaging Using FTIR Spectroscopy

The strength and resistance of plastics at the end of their service life can hinder their degradation. The solution to this problem may be materials made of biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable plastics. The aim of this research was to determine the degree and nature of changes in the composition and structure of composted biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable bags. The research involved shopping bags and waste bags available on the Polish market. The composting of the samples was conducted in an industrial composting plant. As a result of the research, only some of the composted samples decomposed. After composting, all samples were analysed using FTIR (Fourier Transformation Infrared) spectroscopy. Carbonyl index and hierarchical cluster analysis method was used to detect similarities between the spectra of the new samples. The analysis of the obtained results showed that FTIR spectroscopy is a method that can be used to confirm the degradation and detect similarities in the structure of the analysed materials. The analysis of spectra obtained with the use of FTIR spectroscopy indicated the presence of compounds that may be a potential source of compost contamination. Plastics with certificates confirming their biodegradability and compostability should be completely biodegradable, i.e., each element used in their production should be biodegradable and safe for the environment.

Selected Applications of Chitosan Composites

Chitosan is one of the emerging materials for various applications. The most intensive studies have focused on its use as a biomaterial and for biomedical, cosmetic, and packaging systems. The research on biodegradable food packaging systems over conventional non-biodegradable packaging systems has gained much importance in the last decade. The deacetylation of chitin, a polysaccharide mainly obtained from crustaceans and shrimp shells, yields chitosan. The deacetylation process of chitin leads to the generation of primary amino groups. The functional activity of chitosan is generally owed to this amino group, which imparts inherent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity to the chitosan. Further, since chitosan is a naturally derived polymer, it is biodegradable and safe for human consumption. Food-focused researchers are exploiting the properties of chitosan to develop biodegradable food packaging systems. However, the properties of packaging systems using chitosan can be improved by adding different additives or blending chitosan with other polymers. In this review, we report on the different properties of chitosan that make it suitable for food packaging applications, various methods to develop chitosan-based packaging films, and finally, the applications of chitosan in developing multifunctional food packaging materials. Here we present a short overview of the chitosan-based nanocomposites, beginning with principal properties, selected preparation techniques, and finally, selected current research.

Utilization of Agro-Industrial Wastes as Edible Coating and Films for Food Packaging Materials

Mostly, food packaging employs synthetic materials obtained from nonrenewable sources. These packaging materials are based on petrochemicals and cause substantial environmental problems by producing massive amounts of non-biodegradable solid wastes. Edible coatings and films are considered as the potential solution to these problems of non-biodegradable packaging solid wastes for maintaining food-environment interactions, retaining food quality, and extending shelf life. In addition, edible coatings and films offer prevention from microbial spoilage of packed foods by controlling moisture and gas barrier characteristics. Increasing environmental concerns and consumer demands for high-quality eco-friendly packaging have fueled the advancement of innovative packaging technologies, for instance, the development of biodegradable films from renewable agricultural and food processing industry wastes. Therefore, the current chapter presents the application of edible coatings and films as an alternative to conventional packaging, emphasizing the fundamental characterization that these biodegradable packaging should hold for specific applications such as food preservation and shelf life enhancement. The primary employed components (e.g., biopolymers, bioactive, and additives components), manufacturing processes (for edible films or coatings), and their application to specific foods have all been given special consideration in this chapter. Besides, a future vision for the use of edible films and coatings as quality indicators for perishable foods is presented.

Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) as Antimicrobial Biocomposite Film: A Review

Packaging is a critical process in the food industry because it is used to prevent spoilage, extend shelf-life, and provide an attractive presentation of the food product. Plastic packaging is used all over the world, and its production is increasing year after year. It comes in a variety of colours and designs. However, it has caused serious environmental problems, particularly to the ocean that has become a place for discarded plastic packaging. To address this issue, biodegradable packaging was developed to replace the use of plastic packaging because it helps to reduce environmental impact and waste management costs. Biodegradable packaging is also known as environmentally friendly packaging because it can be degraded into carbon dioxide, water, inorganic compounds, and biomass by microorganisms, algae, fungi, as well as enzyme catalysts. Biodegradable biocomposite film such as starch, cellulose, chitosan, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is required to produce biodegradable packaging. Therefore, this paper aims to characterize PVA as a biocomposite film in biodegradable packaging. PVA has excellent properties to form films, as well as biodegradable, abundant in the environment, and cost-effective. However, it has some limitations in terms of thickness and mechanical properties; thus, the incorporation of PVA with essential oils and fiber is required to improve its mechanical properties, thickness, and provide antimicrobial properties to the packaging.