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A Multi‐functional Biofilm Used as an Active Insert in Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Fresh Produce
Author(s) -
Wang Hong Jiang,
An Duck Soon,
Rhim JongWhan,
Lee Dong Sun
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
packaging technology and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.365
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1099-1522
pISSN - 0894-3214
DOI - 10.1002/pts.2179
Subject(s) - modified atmosphere , absorption of water , absorption (acoustics) , materials science , chemical engineering , atmosphere (unit) , plasticizer , food packaging , agar , shelf life , chemistry , composite material , food science , physics , genetics , biology , bacteria , engineering , thermodynamics
We developed a multi‐functional agar‐based biofilm for fresh produce packaging by modulating its CO 2 absorption and water vapour absorption functions. The film was prepared from solutions containing agar as a matrix and a water vapour absorbent, glycerol as a plasticizer, and sodium carbonate (SC) and/or sodium glycinate (SG) as a CO 2 absorbent. The optical, mechanical, and CO 2 and water vapour absorption properties of SC, SG, and SC/SG films were investigated. Multi‐functional films tended to show poor mechanical properties, with a hard texture and an opaque and yellowish colour. The three films had different CO 2 absorption capacities and coefficients, with SC film showing the highest absorption, followed by SC/SG and SG films. The water absorption coefficients were much higher than those of CO 2 , with the opposite dependence on the absorbent compound. The multi‐functional benefits of the developed film were shown by using the film for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of shiitake mushrooms as an insert label. A tailored MAP design for shiitake mushrooms was produced based on mass transfer mathematical models. The package attached with SC film label was capable of generating the desired internal atmosphere and thus showed the best quality preservation in terms of colour, firmness, flavour score, and bacterial growth after 5‐day storage. A tailored MAP system with our multi‐functional film can provide an optimal modified atmosphere for CO 2 ‐sensitive fresh commodities, preserve their quality, and extend their shelf life. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.