Development of Biobased Active Packaging films for enhanced shelf-life of meat
There is an urgent and dire need for a food packaging system with advanced multi-layered protection for meat stuffs in terms of antimicrobial activity, gaseous exchange ability, antioxidant ability, etc. The purpose of designing an antimicrobial active food packaging film is not limited to protect the raw meat-stuffs from microbial contamination but also to maintain the physiological conditions which lead to enhanced shelf-life.
The proposed hypothesis is based on an antimicrobial system which controls the growth of unwanted food-pathogens; an active material reinforced into bio-based base matrix to control pathogen growth and increase the shelf-life of the meat. Moreover, using antimicrobial agent-enriched food packaging material also will reduce the application of food-preservatives with the food.
The objectives of the project include:
- Screening and synthesis of active component for packaging
- Development of bio-based active packaging cling film and its characterization
- Application and testing of bio-based antimicrobial packaging material on meat