Page 30 - FMT Dec Web

Packaging

Scope of Cellulose Nanotechnology in

Biodegradable Food Packaging

By N. Sai Prasanna*

Since cncS poSSeSSeS
modifiable propertieS
due to abundant
hydroxyl groupS
preSence which
reSulted in better
biodegradability and
biocompatibility, thuS
enable to protect
environment from
non- conventional
plaStic damage.

n recent times, packaging sector half of all municipal solid waste prices. The research should also
is gaining much interest among disposal (as per US Environmental address the long-term crucial
Iscientists, food researchers and Protection Agency). Thereby, issues like persistent plastic waste
consumers as well. Food packaging these food packages (especially accumulation, incremental usage
plays a key role in addressing key petroleum-based plastics) are of petroleum-based plastics in food
challenges in sustainable food thrown away as solid waste in packaging, non-biodegradability and
consumption for minimizing landfills and waterways, thus environmental damage.
the environmental pollution. emerged as indomitable sources of
Packaging helps food industry in environmental pollution causing Biodegradable packaging involves
food quality preservation during severe threat to humanity and the use of biopolymers, which
storage by controlling gas and aquatic life including to our air and includes naturally available
vapour exchanges with the external soil. Therefore, packaging industry polysaccharides, proteins, lipids
atmosphere, preventing food safety is yet to resolve these challenges to and polyesters either alone or in
issues i.e., food-borne diseases and replace plastic with biodegradable combination for the film production
food chemical contamination and or green packaging technology for packing of various foods. Though
extending shelf-life of packed foods¹. for contributing to sustainability these protein and polysaccharide-
Though modern packaging provides and environmental safety. In based films provide suitable oxygen
more safer, reliable, shelf-stable and particular, there is also strong need barrier properties and relatively
clean food; but on the worst side, for more research and development acceptable mechanical strength,
these packages are designed for aiming at producing innovative but have poor moisture and water
single use, non-biodegradable and and sustainable packaging vapour barrier ability². To enhance
not recyclable. Thus food and food materials with wider awareness, the film functionality in terms
packaging materials make up almost alternative products at economic of strength, elongation, barrier

Food Marketing & Technology 30 December 2020