Evaluation of physicochemical/microbial properties and life cycle assessment (LCA) of PLA-based nanocomposite active packaging

Abstract

21To attend the growing consumer demand for novel ready-to-eat fresh cut fruits packaging polylactic acid 22 (PLA)-based active packaging was realized. The aim of these packaging is to provide an improved 23 protection and even to extend their shelf-life. PLA-based active packaging was prepared by adding 24 nanoclays and surfactants in its formulation. The evaluation of PLA-nanocomposite packaging was done 25 in comparison to pristine PLA and conventional plastic (polyethylene terephthalate, PET) using fresh-26 cut melons. Physicochemical properties were investigated by the means of weight loss, visual 27 appearance, pH, colour, and firmness. In addition, microbial profile was tested via microbiological 28 assays. In order to evaluate the environmental impact of PLA-based active packaging compared to 29 commonly used PET, life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted. In terms of physicochemical and 30 antimicrobial properties, the results clearly showed that the presence of nanoclays and surfactants in the 31 PLA formulations improved their performance, thus contributing to bring the characteristic and 32 behaviour of PLA packages close to those of PET. Furthermore, assessment of life cycle environmental 33 impacts indicated that PLA packaging with nanoclays had the highest environmental performance. 34 35 Buckley et al. 2007).41Fresh-cut fruits respond to the demand for such healthy and easy products. Procedures such as cutting 42 and peeling expose the surface of the fruit to air and contaminants while also causing mechanical damage 43 to the cells which make the fruit more perishable (Ramos et al. 2013). As consumers tend to select fruit 44 products primarily based on their colour and appearance, fresh-cut fruits must indeed look fresh in order 45 to attract the attention of consumers (Barrett et al. 2010). Such delicate products require much from the 46 packaging. Studies conducted by Grönman et al. (2013) and Silvenius et al. (2014) have revealed that 47 the environmental impacts of the food are of a higher concern when compared to the product-packaging 48 system. Governments and customers have put much focus on the environmental impacts of the packaging 49 (Williams et al. 2008). 50Plastic production for packaging represents the largest application for plastic nowadays (Lagaron and 51 Lopez-Rubio 2010). In particular, petrochemical-based plastics have been increasingly used as packaging 52 materials because of their large availability at relatively low cost and because of their good mechanical 53

Packaging Concepts for Ready-to-Eat Food: Recent Progress

“…In recent years considerable progress has been made in the field of bioplastics in terms of cost-reduction, efficiency, and antimicrobial properties and therefore some bioplastics are already in use. However, some mechanisms remain unknown and so further research in this field Extension of shelf life, improvement due to combination, increase of respiration rate, prevention of whitening of the carrots' surface, maintenance of firmness [50] Freshly cut melon Packaging based on PLA enriched with nanoclays and surfactants Improvement of the performance of the original PLA based material (without nanoclays), effective against microbial growth, eco-friendly production and low impact on human health, decrease of food loss due to extended shelf life [40] Barberries LDPE packaging container enriched with silver nanoparticles Improvement of sensory, physicochemical and physiological properties compared to conventional PE containers [59] High and low protein food EVOH with incorporated silver nanoparticles (0.1, 1 and 10 wt% silver)…”

“…It is used for packaging materials for short shelf life products such as fresh RTE food, for example fruit and salads [40,41]. Current sources of the lactic acid needed to produce PLA for packaging films include for example corn, wheat, and sugar cane.…”

“…Packaging materials based on PLA and enriched with nanoclays and surfactants for freshly cut melon were the subject of the life cycle assessment of Lorite et al [40]. Reference materials were original PLA and conventional polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET.…”

“…Although the production of the nanocomposite PLA materials requires more energy, it is more ecofriendly and has a lower impact on human health compared to the two reference materials. Moreover, this innovative packaging concept decreases food loss because it extends the shelf life of RTE fruit [40].…”

An economic-environmental analysis of selected barrier-coating materials used in packaging food products: a Swedish case study

“…At the time of writing (in 2016) though, nanocomposites can be said to hold great promise in flexible packaging, in the years to come, with optimisation likely to bring down the cost and thereby make the nanocomposites competitive with the alternatives. Lorite et al (2017) have shown that polylactic-acid-based nanocomposite active packaging, vis-à-vis polyethylene terephthalate (PET), can extend the shelf life of the food product, thus reducing food wastage, while being environmentally as good a performer as PET.…”