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Title Can Sustainable Packaging Help to Reduce Food Waste? A Status Quo Focusing Plant-Derived Polymers and Additives
ID_Doc 64407
Authors Korte, I; Kreyenschmidt, J; Wensing, J; Bröring, S; Frase, JN; Pude, R; Konow, C; Havelt, T; Rumpf, J; Schmitz, M; Schulze, M
Title Can Sustainable Packaging Help to Reduce Food Waste? A Status Quo Focusing Plant-Derived Polymers and Additives
Year 2021
Published Applied Sciences-Basel, 11, 11
DOI 10.3390/app11115307
Abstract Featured Application Exploitation of renewable resources and plant extracts for the development of sustainable materials used for active food packaging. The promotion of sustainable packaging is part of the European Green Deal and plays a key role in the EU's social and political strategy. One option is the use of renewable resources and biomass waste as raw materials for polymer production. Lignocellulose biomass from annual and perennial industrial crops and agricultural residues are a major source of polysaccharides, proteins, and lignin and can also be used to obtain plant-based extracts and essential oils. Therefore, these biomasses are considered as potential substitute for fossil-based resources. Here, the status quo of bio-based polymers is discussed and evaluated in terms of properties related to packaging applications such as gas and water vapor permeability as well as mechanical properties. So far, their practical use is still restricted due to lower performance in fundamental packaging functions that directly influence food quality and safety, the length of shelf life, and thus the amount of food waste. Besides bio-based polymers, this review focuses on plant extracts as active packaging agents. Incorporating extracts of herbs, flowers, trees, and their fruits is inevitable to achieve desired material properties that are capable to prolong the food shelf life. Finally, the adoption potential of packaging based on polymers from renewable resources is discussed from a bioeconomy perspective.
Author Keywords active packaging; bio-based polymers; bioeconomy; essential oil; food waste; natural additives; permeability; plant extracts; shelf life; sustainable packaging
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED); Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000659581200001
WoS Category Chemistry, Multidisciplinary; Engineering, Multidisciplinary; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Physics, Applied
Research Area Chemistry; Engineering; Materials Science; Physics
PDF https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/11/5307/pdf?version=1623137452
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