Degradable Smart Preservative Materials Development

Addressing extendable safety gaps, product shelf life, and environmental impacts continue to persist as challenges in the global food industry. Traditional methods of preserving food and packaging use materials that are not eco-friendly and do not address the needs of food products. Technologies focusing on degradable smart preservative materials development for the food industry are what lead our company to the forefront. Our mission drives innovation not only to enhance food safety and quality but also contributes to a circular economy by using intelligent and biodegradable materials.

Fig 1. Smart Food Preservative Materials (Samira S., 2024)

The primary service we offer within our company is the research, development, and customization of materials smart preservative with advanced degradability features. These materials are designed to monitor and refresh food while reducing spoilage through active or intelligent interactions with the food or its environment. Thus, together with food and packaging producers, we develop strategies to meet their specific product requirements and sustainability targets.

Technical Principles

The development process of degradable smart preservative materials follows the guidelines of:

• Controlled Release Systems: Active ingredients (natural antimicrobials and other preservatives, antioxidants, ethylene scavengers) are encapsulated or embedded in the biocompatible polymer matrix. These compounds are released in a time-controlled manner, or in response to specific conditions (microbial growth, oxidation, increase in temperature, pH shift, enzymatic activity, etc.) to control the microbial activity, oxidation, or ripening of the fruit.
• Embedded bio-based or biodegradable sensors and indicators into the packaging material. These components are capable of detecting and signaling the alteration of food products or the package's integrity. Time-temperature indicators (TTIs), freshness indicators (detecting spoilage volatile compounds), oxygen and carbon dioxide sensors.
• The polymeric materials are chosen for their capability to undergo natural degradation into non-toxic substances such as water, carbon dioxide and biomass under specific conditions like composting, soil and marine environments, complies with global regulations such as ASTM D6400 or EN 13432.

Technical Classification

Our materials can be broadly classified into:

Degradable Active Preservative Materials: These materials actively interact with the food or the internal packaging atmosphere to extend shelf-life.

• Antimicrobial Releasing Systems: Incorporate natural or food-grade antimicrobial agents.
• Oxygen Scavenging Systems: Remove residual oxygen from the package.
• Ethylene Scavenging Systems: Absorb ethylene to slow down ripening in fruits and vegetables.
• Moisture Control Systems: Regulate humidity within the package.

Degradable Intelligent Preservative Materials: These materials monitor the condition of the food or the surrounding environment and communicate this information.

• Time-Temperature Indicators (TTIs): Visually indicate the cumulative temperature exposure of the product.
• Freshness Indicators: Signal spoilage through color changes or other detectable signals in response to microbial metabolites.
• Leakage Indicators: Detect breaches in package integrity.

Application Areas

• Fresh Produce: Fruits and vegetables (ethylene scavenging, moisture control, freshness indicators).
• Meat and Poultry: (Antimicrobial packaging, oxygen scavenging, TTI).
• Seafood: (Antimicrobial packaging, freshness indicators).
• Dairy Products: (Oxygen scavenging, antimicrobial coatings).
• Bakery Products: (Moisture control, antimicrobial packaging).
• Ready-to-Eat Meals: (TTIs, oxygen scavenging, antimicrobial films).

Environmental Benefits

• Reduced Plastic Pollution: Biodegradable materials lessen the burden of persistent plastic waste in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
• Lower Carbon Footprint: Utilisation of bio-based polymers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional petroleum-based plastics.
• Decreased Food Waste: By extending shelf-life and providing real-time quality information, these materials help reduce the substantial volume of food discarded due to spoilage.
• Support for Circular Economy: Materials designed for composting can contribute to nutrient cycling and soil enrichment.

Our Services

Our company provides a comprehensive suite of services to support our clients in adopting and implementing degradable smart preservative materials. We work collaboratively to ensure that the solutions are tailored to specific product requirements and business objectives. Our services include:

• Custom Material Formulation and Development: We design and develop bespoke degradable smart preservative materials based on your specific food product, shelf-life targets, and packaging requirements. This includes selecting appropriate biopolymers, active compounds, and intelligent sensor technologies.
• Feasibility Studies and Proof-of-Concept: We conduct thorough feasibility assessments to evaluate the potential of smart preservative technologies for your applications, followed by proof-of-concept studies to demonstrate efficacy.
• Material Testing and Validation: Our laboratories are equipped to perform a range of tests, including biodegradability testing, migration testing, shelf-life studies, mechanical property analysis, and sensor performance validation, ensuring compliance with relevant food safety and environmental standards.

• Technology Integration and Scale-up Support: We assist with the integration of these new materials into your existing packaging lines and provide support during the scale-up process.
• Consultancy Services: Our experts offer consultancy on sustainable packaging strategies, helping you navigate the transition towards more environmentally friendly and technologically advanced solutions.

Company Service Advantages

Contact Us

The development and adoption of degradable smart preservative materials represent a paradigm shift in the food packaging industry. Our company is dedicated to providing cutting-edge, sustainable solutions that enhance food preservation, ensure safety, and minimize environmental impact. We invite you to partner with us to explore how these innovative materials can transform your products and contribute to a more sustainable future.

How to Place an Order

Our products and services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.