Issue 2 2022 - Antibacterial and fresh-keeping intelligent food packaging was successfully developed

Recently, a research team from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and the Harvard School of Public Health in the United States has developed a smart food packaging material
.
The packaging material can be biodegradable and can kill microorganisms harmful to the human body, and can also extend the shelf life of fresh fruits by 2~3 days
.

In laboratory experiments, when exposed to enzymes produced by increased humidity or harmful bacteria, fibers in packaging release trace amounts of natural antimicrobial compounds that kill common dangerous bacteria that contaminate food (whether the bacteria are on the packaging surface or on the surface of the food itself), such as E.
coli and Listeria
.

The food packaging is made from a substance called zemelin, starch, and other natural biopolymers, infused with a blend of natural antimicrobial compounds, which can be used in a variety of products
such as ready-to-eat foods, raw meat, fruits and vegetables.
In one experiment, strawberries packaged with this material kept fresh for 7 days, while strawberries packaged in plastic boxes of mainstream fruits remained fresh
for only 4 days.

In this study, researchers used natural compounds including biopolymers, non-toxic solvents, natural antimicrobials, and developed scalable systems to synthesize smart antimicrobial materials
.
These materials not only enhance food safety and quality, but also reduce the use of non-degradable plastics on a global scale, which is expected to eliminate environmental and health hazards
.