{"id":10263,"date":"2022-03-28T15:01:16","date_gmt":"2022-03-28T14:01:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/?p=10263"},"modified":"2022-03-28T15:01:16","modified_gmt":"2022-03-28T14:01:16","slug":"scientists-develop-smart-and-sustainable-food-packaging-that-keeps-harmful-microbes-at-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/scientists-develop-smart-and-sustainable-food-packaging-that-keeps-harmful-microbes-at-bay\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientists develop smart and sustainable food packaging that keeps harmful microbes at bay"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='av_section_1'  class='avia-section main_color avia-section-default avia-no-border-styling  avia-bg-style-scroll  avia-builder-el-0  avia-builder-el-no-sibling   container_wrap fullsize' style=' '  ><div class='container' ><main  role=\"main\" itemprop=\"mainContentOfPage\"  class='template-page content  av-content-full alpha units'><div class='post-entry post-entry-type-page post-entry-10263'><div class='entry-content-wrapper clearfix'>\n<div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding first  avia-builder-el-1  el_before_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-first  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p style=\"text-align: center\"><div id=\"ads-slider-28\" class=\"custom-slider ads-slider-1793417997 ads-slider\"><ul><li><!--Begin ClixTrac.com Banner Code -->\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/clixtrac.com\/goto\/?308404\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clixtrac.com\/banner\/308404.jpg\" alt=\"Free from food\" title=\"Free from food\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a>\r\n<!--End ClixTrac.com Banner Code --><\/li><li><!--Begin ClixTrac.com Banner Code -->\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/clixtrac.com\/banner\/click.php?banner=302805\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/clixtrac.com\/banner\/302805.jpg\" alt=\"LUBRIPLATE\" title=\"LUBRIPLATE\" border=\"0\" width=\"120\" height=\"600\" \/><\/a>\r\n<!--End ClixTrac.com Banner Code --><\/li><li><div style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; \" id=\"ads-942205968\"><!--Begin ClixTrac.com Banner Code -->\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/clixtrac.com\/banner\/click.php?banner=297426\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/clixtrac.com\/banner\/297426.jpg\" alt=\"Click here for more information!\" title=\"Click here for more information!\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a>\r\n<!--End ClixTrac.com Banner Code --><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><script>( window.advanced_ads_ready || jQuery( document ).ready ).call( null, function() {var $adsslider1793417997 = jQuery( \".ads-slider-1793417997\" );$adsslider1793417997.on( \"unslider.ready\", function() { jQuery( \"div.custom-slider ul li\" ).css( \"display\", \"block\" ); });$adsslider1793417997.unslider({ delay:5000, autoplay:true, nav:false, arrows:false, infinite:true });$adsslider1793417997.on(\"mouseover\", function(){$adsslider1793417997.unslider(\"stop\");}).on(\"mouseout\", function() {$adsslider1793417997.unslider(\"start\");});});<\/script><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div><div class=\"flex_column av_three_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-3  el_after_av_one_fifth  el_before_av_one_fifth  \" style='border-radius:0px; '><section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p style=\"text-align: center\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><header class=\"entry-content-header\"><h1 class=\"post-title entry-title\" itemprop=\"headline\">Scientists develop smart and sustainable food packaging that keeps harmful microbes at bay<\/h1><span class=\"post-meta-infos\">\/ <span class=\"blog-categories minor-meta\">in <a href=\"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/category\/featured-articles\/\" rel=\"tag\">Featured Articles<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/header>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p>A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, has developed a \u2018smart\u2019 food packaging material that is biodegradable, sustainable and kills microbes that are harmful to humans. It could also extend the shelf-life of fresh fruit by two to three days.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The water-proof food packaging is made from a type of corn protein called zein, starch and other naturally derived biopolymers, infused with a cocktail of natural antimicrobial compounds. These include oil from thyme, a common herb used in cooking, and citric acid, which is commonly found in citrus fruits.<\/p>\n<p>In lab experiments, when exposed to an increase in humidity or enzymes from harmful bacteria, the fibres in the packaging have been shown to release the natural antimicrobial compounds, killing common dangerous bacteria that contaminate food, such as <i>E. Coli<\/i> and Listeria, as well as fungi.<\/p>\n<p>The packaging is designed to release the necessary miniscule amounts of antimicrobial compounds only in response to the presence of additional humidity or bacteria. This ensures that the packaging can endure several exposures, and last for months.<\/p>\n<p>As the compounds combat any bacteria that grow on the surface of the packaging as well as on the food product itself, it has the potential to be used for a large variety of products, including ready-to-eat foods, raw meat, fruits, and vegetables.<\/p>\n<p>In an experiment, strawberries that were wrapped in the packaging stayed fresh for seven days before developing mould, compared to counterparts that were kept in mainstream fruit plastic boxes, which only stayed fresh for four days.<\/p>\n<p>The invention is the result of the collaboration by scientists from the NTU-Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Initiative for Sustainable Nanotechnology (NTU-Harvard SusNano), which brings together NTU and Harvard Chan School researchers to work on cutting edge applications in agriculture and food, with an emphasis on developing non-toxic and environmentally safe nanomaterials.<\/p>\n<p>The development of this advanced food packaging material is part of the University\u2019s efforts to promote sustainable food tech solutions, that is aligned with the NTU 2025 strategic plan, which aims to develop sustainable solutions to address some of humanity\u2019s pressing grand challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Professor Mary Chan, Director of NTU\u2019s Centre of Antimicrobial Bioengineering, who co-led the project, said: \u201cThis invention would serve as a better option for packaging in the food industry, as it has demonstrated superior antimicrobial qualities in combatting a myriad of food-related bacteria and fungi that could be harmful to humans. The packaging can be applied to various produces such as fish, meat, vegetables, and fruits. The smart release of antimicrobials only when bacteria or high humidity is present, provides protection only when needed thus minimising the use of chemicals and preserving the natural composition of foods packaged.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Professor Philip Demokritou, Adjunct Professor of Environmental Health at Harvard Chan School, who is also Director of Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology Center and Co-director of NTU-Harvard Initiative on Sustainable Nanotechnology, who co-led the study, said: \u201cFood safety and waste have become a major societal challenge of our times with immense public health and economic impact which compromises food security. One of the most efficient ways to enhance food safety and reduce spoilage and waste is to develop efficient biodegradable non-toxic food packaging materials. In this study [1], we used nature-derived compounds including biopolymers, non-toxic solvents, and nature-inspired antimicrobials and develop scalable systems to synthesise smart antimicrobial materials which can be used not only to enhance food safety and quality but also to eliminate the harm to the environment and health and reduce the use of non-biodegradable plastics at global level and promote sustainable agri-food systems.\u201d<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Cutting down on packaging waste<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>The packaging industry is the largest and growing consumer of synthetic plastics derived from fossil fuels, with food packaging plastics accounting for the bulk of plastic waste that are polluting the environment.<\/p>\n<p>In Singapore, packaging is a major source of trash, with data from Singapore\u2019s National Environment Agency showing that out of the 1.76 million tonnes of waste disposed of by domestic sources in 2018, one third of it was packaging waste, and over half of it (55 per cent) was plastic.<\/p>\n<p>The smart food package material, when scaled up, could serve as an alternative to cut down on the amount of plastic waste, as it is biodegradable. Its main ingredient, zein, is also produced from corn gluten meal, which is a waste by-product from using corn starch or oils in order to produce ethanol.<\/p>\n<p>The food packaging material is produced by electrospinning [2] the zein, the antimicrobial compounds with cellulose, a natural polymer starch that makes up plant cell walls, and acetic acid, which is commonly found in vinegar.<\/p>\n<p>Prof Chan added: \u201cThe sustainable and biodegradable active food packaging, which has inbuilt technology to keep bacteria and fungus at bay, is of great importance to the food industry. It could serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based polymers used in commercial food packaging, such as plastic, which have a significant negative environmental impact.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Prof Demokritou added: \u201cDue to the globalisation of food supply and attitude shift towards a healthier lifestyle and environmentally friendly food packaging, there is a need to develop biodegradable, non-toxic and smart\/responsive materials to enhance food safety and quality. Development of scalable synthesis platforms for developing food packaging materials that are composed of nature derived, biodegradable biopolymers and nature inspired antimicrobials, coupled with stimuli triggered approaches will meet the emerging societal needs to reduce food waste and enhance food safety and quality.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The team of NTU and Harvard Chan School researchers hope to scale up their technology with an industrial partner, with the aim of commercialisation within the next few years.<\/p>\n<p>They are also currently working on developing other technologies to develop biopolymer-based smart food package materials to enhance food safety and quality.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='avia-image-container  av-styling-    avia-builder-el-7  el_after_av_textblock  el_before_av_textblock  avia-align-center '  itemprop=\"image\" itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\"  ><div class='avia-image-container-inner'><div class='avia-image-overlay-wrap'><img class='avia_image' src='https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/03\/Schermafbeelding-2022-03-28-om-15.59.19.png' alt='' title='Schermafbeelding 2022-03-28 om 15.59.19' height=\"693\" width=\"1105\"  itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\"  \/><\/div><\/div><\/div><br \/>\n<section class=\"av_textblock_section \"  itemscope=\"itemscope\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BlogPosting\" itemprop=\"blogPost\" ><div class='avia_textblock  '   itemprop=\"text\" ><p><em><strong>References<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><em><strong>\u201cEnzyme- and Relative Humidity-Responsive Antimicrobial Fibers for Active Food Packaging\u201d. ACS Applied Materials &amp; Interfaces. 14 Oct 2021. doi: <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org10.1021\/acsami.1c12319\">https:\/\/doi.org10.1021\/acsami.1c12319<\/a><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><strong>Electrospinning is an industrial method to produce fibres using electric force to draw charged threads of polymer solutions into tubes.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/section><br \/>\n<div  class='av-social-sharing-box  avia-builder-el-9  el_after_av_textblock  avia-builder-el-last  av-social-sharing-box-minimal '><div class='av-share-box'><h5 class='av-share-link-description av-no-toc '>Share this<\/h5><ul class='av-share-box-list noLightbox'><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-facebook' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\" href='https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/fei-online.com\/scientists-develop-smart-and-sustainable-food-packaging-that-keeps-harmful-microbes-at-bay\/&#038;t=Scientists%20develop%20smart%20and%20sustainable%20food%20packaging%20that%20keeps%20harmful%20microbes%20at%20bay' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8f3' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on Facebook' rel=\"noopener\"><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on Facebook<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-twitter' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on Twitter\" href='https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?text=Scientists%20develop%20smart%20and%20sustainable%20food%20packaging%20that%20keeps%20harmful%20microbes%20at%20bay&#038;url=https:\/\/fei-online.com\/?p=10263' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8f1' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on Twitter' rel=\"noopener\"><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on Twitter<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-whatsapp' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on WhatsApp\" href='https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=https:\/\/fei-online.com\/scientists-develop-smart-and-sustainable-food-packaging-that-keeps-harmful-microbes-at-bay\/' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\uf232' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on WhatsApp' rel=\"noopener\"><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on WhatsApp<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-linkedin' ><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn\" href='https:\/\/linkedin.com\/shareArticle?mini=true&#038;title=Scientists%20develop%20smart%20and%20sustainable%20food%20packaging%20that%20keeps%20harmful%20microbes%20at%20bay&#038;url=https:\/\/fei-online.com\/scientists-develop-smart-and-sustainable-food-packaging-that-keeps-harmful-microbes-at-bay\/' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue8fc' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share on LinkedIn' rel=\"noopener\"><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share on LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class='av-share-link av-social-link-mail' ><a  aria-label=\"Share by Mail\" href='mailto:?subject=Scientists%20develop%20smart%20and%20sustainable%20food%20packaging%20that%20keeps%20harmful%20microbes%20at%20bay&#038;body=https:\/\/fei-online.com\/scientists-develop-smart-and-sustainable-food-packaging-that-keeps-harmful-microbes-at-bay\/' aria-hidden='false' data-av_icon='\ue805' data-av_iconfont='entypo-fontello' title='' data-avia-related-tooltip='Share by Mail'><span class='avia_hidden_link_text'>Share by Mail<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><div class=\"flex_column av_one_fifth  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding   avia-builder-el-10  el_after_av_three_fifth  avia-builder-el-last  \" style='border-radius:0px; 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Chan School of Public Health, US, has developed a \u2018smart\u2019 food packaging material that is biodegradable, sustainable and kills microbes that are harmful to humans. It could also extend the shelf-life of fresh fruit by two to three days.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":10264,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10263"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10263"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10263\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10266,"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10263\/revisions\/10266"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fei-online.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}