Antimicrobial Active
Packaging

Introduction

  • Antimicrobial packaging is one of the application of active packaging.
  • It prevents surface growth of pathogenic micro-organisms in food by adding antimicrobial agents where large portion of spoilage and contaminations occur.
  • It allows controlled release of antimicrobial agents into the food surface during the storage and distribution[1].

Objectives

 

ANTIMICROBIAL PACKAGING

CONVENTIONAL PACKAGING

Principle

Antimicrobial packaging system is a hurdle to prevent degradation of total quality of packaged food, providing protection against micro-organisms[2].

Antimicrobial Packaging System

S.No Antimicrobial agents:[2] Films
1 Natural antimicrobial agents: - plant sources – extracts of spices & oils - Animal sources – chitosan    - Microbial sources – bacteriocins, enzymes - LDPE, LLDPE, PET
2 Chemical antimicrobial agents     - Benzoic acid, sorbic acid POLYOLEFIN, EVA

Methods Of Incorporating Antimicrobial Agents Into Films

1.Addition of sachets – pads[2].

2.Incorporation directly into polymer

3.Coating or absorption on polymer surface

4.Immobilization of antimicrobials by covalent linkages

5.Antimicrobial polymers

Conclusion

  • Antimicrobial packaging is a promising form of active packaging to improve safety and shelf of products.
  • The use of  packaging material is not meant to be a substitute for good sanitation[1][2][3]