15.6 Environmental Implication
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and essential fatty acids as by-products which have high commercial value for their
bioactivities and other applications as discussed within the chapter. Having a mixed
culture of aquatic plants could be beneficial in minimizing the risk of disease spread
and allowing for biodiversity. The monomer composition of the cutin polymer varies
for different species and plant parts; therefore, mixed cultivation of variety of species
may cause some constraints. This is due to the variation in the monomer composition
resulting in the variation in the mechanical properties of the cutin.
15.7 Applications
Much of the potential and existing application of cutin lies in its protective barrier
formation. This makes it potentially applicable in packaging for food and pharmaceutical products. The cutin matrix also contains other compounds which are of commercial significance. This section therefore also includes the potential applications
of these compounds in the cutin matrix.
15.7.1 Sunscreen
The cuticular matrix offers protection for the plant against UV radiation, and the
phenolic compounds within the cutin matrix also provide UV attenuation. Cutin can
be extracted from the plant and used in applications which mimic the UV protection.
The waterproofing role of the cuticle could also serve in retaining skin moisture which
also minimizes sun damage to skin. This has been explored by researchers (Zhang
and Uyama 2016; Heredia-Guerrero et al. 2017a, b). The sunscreen market is a huge
one, and as consumers increasingly demand more “natural” products, plant-based
sunscreens are in demand and cutin-based sunscreens could offer an alternative.
15.7.2 Food Packaging and Additives
The food packaging industry is one where a lot of biopolymers find demand. There
is an increasing demand for not just food component but also the packaging within
which the food is enclosed, to be plant based and/or from an environmentally friendly
source. The plant role serves a similar role as is required of food packaging, to protect
the product encased within it from the environment. Nutrient retention property of
the cutin matrix has potential for application in the food industry in for example
retaining nutrients in animal or fish feed (Cheng and Stomp 2009). The application
of cutin in the food industry is based around replicating the roles cutin/cuticle plays
in nature.
343
and essential fatty acids as by-products which have high commercial value for their
bioactivities and other applications as discussed within the chapter. Having a mixed
culture of aquatic plants could be beneficial in minimizing the risk of disease spread
and allowing for biodiversity. The monomer composition of the cutin polymer varies
for different species and plant parts; therefore, mixed cultivation of variety of species
may cause some constraints. This is due to the variation in the monomer composition
resulting in the variation in the mechanical properties of the cutin.
15.7 Applications
Much of the potential and existing application of cutin lies in its protective barrier
formation. This makes it potentially applicable in packaging for food and pharmaceutical products. The cutin matrix also contains other compounds which are of commercial significance. This section therefore also includes the potential applications
of these compounds in the cutin matrix.
15.7.1 Sunscreen
The cuticular matrix offers protection for the plant against UV radiation, and the
phenolic compounds within the cutin matrix also provide UV attenuation. Cutin can
be extracted from the plant and used in applications which mimic the UV protection.
The waterproofing role of the cuticle could also serve in retaining skin moisture which
also minimizes sun damage to skin. This has been explored by researchers (Zhang
and Uyama 2016; Heredia-Guerrero et al. 2017a, b). The sunscreen market is a huge
one, and as consumers increasingly demand more “natural” products, plant-based
sunscreens are in demand and cutin-based sunscreens could offer an alternative.
15.7.2 Food Packaging and Additives
The food packaging industry is one where a lot of biopolymers find demand. There
is an increasing demand for not just food component but also the packaging within
which the food is enclosed, to be plant based and/or from an environmentally friendly
source. The plant role serves a similar role as is required of food packaging, to protect
the product encased within it from the environment. Nutrient retention property of
the cutin matrix has potential for application in the food industry in for example
retaining nutrients in animal or fish feed (Cheng and Stomp 2009). The application
of cutin in the food industry is based around replicating the roles cutin/cuticle plays
in nature.