Biodegradable Packaging Studies: Environmentally Friendly Packaging Solutions

To provide anti-aflotoxin properties to biocomposite packaging films produced from orange peel waste...

Biodegradable Packaging

The packaging sector is an important element in the marketing of products and the protection of the shelf life until the sale. Sometimes it affects sales with the design on the packaging and sometimes it prevents spoilage, especially of food products.

The production of packaging from petroleum-based synthetic plastics such as polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate and polyvinyl chloride has led to the search for alternative ways in recent years, especially since they do not disappear in nature. In this regard, the production of biodegradable packaging materials has gained importance. Generally, edible biomass sources such as vegetable oil, corn starch, pea starch or microbiota are used in the production of biodegradable packaging materials.

In a different study, biocomposite packaging films produced from orange peel waste were tried to gain aflotoxin preventive properties.

Within the scope of the study; the biocomposite film was dip coated with Cellulose Acetate Phthalate (CAP), an active pharmaceutical material used in enteric coatings, to inhibit aflatoxins. Raisins were used as the target food for the determination of aflatoxin formation. Total aflatoxin analysis (B1, B2, G1, G2) was performed on sterilized raisin samples and initial aflatoxin content (mg/g raisin) was determined.

Two sets of experiments were conducted to determine the effect of the films on existing aflatoxins and new aflatoxin formation in raisins, and Aspergillus parasiticus was used to determine new toxin formation.

According to the results, it was determined that coating with CAP increased the inhibition effect of the biocomposite packaging film on aflatoxin and its production, and CAP coated biocomposite film was more effective in preventing new aflatoxin formation than commercial packaging film.

Advantages of Biodegradable Packaging

• Environment Friendly: Allows waste to decompose faster and harmlessly in nature.
• Sustainability: Produced from renewable resources and supports the circular economy.
• Waste Management: With its compostable properties, it facilitates the reuse of waste.
• Reduces Carbon Footprint: Provides lower carbon emissions compared to plastics produced from fossil fuels.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Packaging Analysis. We also provide services in NIAS Analysis.

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References:

Günkaya, Z., Demirel, R., Banar, M. (2016): Investigation of the effect of biocomposite packaging film produced from orange peel waste against aflatoxins. Pamukkale University Journal of Engineering Sciences 22(6), 513-519