15.2 Biodegradable Active Packaging System: Concepts
and Commercial Applications
Chemically synthesized polymers have a greater demand as packaging materials on
account of their low permeability values, excellent mechanical properties, and low
cost. However safe environmental disposal of these materials is a major drawback.
Environmental problems are due to non-renewable raw materials used for the
development of the packaging system and subsequent accumulation of such nonbiodegradable packaging elements in the environment. To overcome this challenge,
research is focused on developing and manufacturing alternative packaging
materials to chemical synthetics, considering the mechanical and permeability
properties with economic feasibility. These biodegradable packaging materials that
originate from completely renewable natural polymers have the ability to lessen
environmental pollution and create space in the markets for agricultural products.
But, incorporation of the antimicrobials into the packaging materials appends to the
complications and manufacturing cost of the films. However, the costs of the film
could anyway decrease in certain cases where replacement of expensive
Fig. 15.1 Development of the antimicrobial food packaging system
15 Film Based Packaging for Food Safety and Preservation: Issues and Perspectives
311
and Commercial Applications
Chemically synthesized polymers have a greater demand as packaging materials on
account of their low permeability values, excellent mechanical properties, and low
cost. However safe environmental disposal of these materials is a major drawback.
Environmental problems are due to non-renewable raw materials used for the
development of the packaging system and subsequent accumulation of such nonbiodegradable packaging elements in the environment. To overcome this challenge,
research is focused on developing and manufacturing alternative packaging
materials to chemical synthetics, considering the mechanical and permeability
properties with economic feasibility. These biodegradable packaging materials that
originate from completely renewable natural polymers have the ability to lessen
environmental pollution and create space in the markets for agricultural products.
But, incorporation of the antimicrobials into the packaging materials appends to the
complications and manufacturing cost of the films. However, the costs of the film
could anyway decrease in certain cases where replacement of expensive
Fig. 15.1 Development of the antimicrobial food packaging system
15 Film Based Packaging for Food Safety and Preservation: Issues and Perspectives
311