ARS | Publication request: Use of Biopolymers in Antimicrobial Food Packaging

Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 15, 2009
Publication Date: April 1, 2009
Citation: Jin, Z.T., Liu, L.S. 2009. Use of Biopolymers in Antimicrobial Food Packaging. Bioplastics Magazine. 4:30-31.

Technical Abstract: Recent outbreaks of foodborne illness and food recalls continue to push for innovative ways to inhibit microbial growth in foods. As an additional hurdle to food processes, antimicrobial food packaging can play an important role in reducing the risk of pathogen contamination of processed foods. In this study, biopolymers (pectin and polylactic acid) containing nisin were used to develop composite food packaging films and the potential use of these films as antimicrobial food packaging to inhibit cells of pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes was evaluated. Microbial growth medium (pH 6.9), orange juice (pH 3.8), and liquid egg white (pH 8.7) were selected for this study to represent neutral, high acid and low acid foods, respectively. The results showed that pectin/polylactic acid films incorporating nisin inhibit pathogenic L. monocytogenes in orange juice or liquid egg. The use of pectin and PLA in combination with nisin has a great potential as antimicrobial food packaging to reduce post process growth of foodborne pathogens.