Food Packaging
Rizel Marie S. M. Ting; Elyson Keith P. Encarnacion; Anne C. Alcantara; David J. Alcarde Jr.; Harold E. Armario; Winnie P. Alejandro; Agaseve F. Del Rosario; April Star L. Canonizado
Abstract
The widespread consumption of disposable plastics as food contact articles (FCAs) in the Philippines has raised concerns on food safety due to the potential chemical migration of contaminants. In this study, validation of modified 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 177 method was performed through ...
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The widespread consumption of disposable plastics as food contact articles (FCAs) in the Philippines has raised concerns on food safety due to the potential chemical migration of contaminants. In this study, validation of modified 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 177 method was performed through preliminary screening, determination of validation parameters, and profiling. 18 randomly screened low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags from 16 brands across Philippine markets were analyzed to identify low and high absorbance levels of total UV-absorbing contaminants (TACs) to be considered for method validation. Validation parameters demonstrated limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of 0.013 AU and 0.033 AU per 50 cm2, ensuring reliable detection at low levels. Results from profiling 47 samples presented variability in migration of TACs across brands and locations, however, all samples were within the maximum allowable limit (MAL) of 0.300 AU set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines for aqueous foods. These findings account for the potential migration of contaminants throughout production, transportation, environmental conditions, and storage processes. Comparison between food simulants, n-Heptane to mimic fatty and oily foods and water for aqueous foods, was conducted through statistical analysis using previously reported same-laboratory data for n-Heptane. An independent nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test indicated a statistically significant difference between TACs levels of the two simulants. Comprehensive research on yet to be specified contaminants is proposed to further explore probable adverse health effects associated with their toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics.
Food Packaging
Ali Alkhair
Abstract
The aim of this study is to encourage a shift in industry towards using natural, biodegradable materials with antimicrobial properties to produce polymeric materials that can be used effectively in areas such as food and pharmaceutical packaging. In this study, polymeric films based on low-density polyethylene ...
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The aim of this study is to encourage a shift in industry towards using natural, biodegradable materials with antimicrobial properties to produce polymeric materials that can be used effectively in areas such as food and pharmaceutical packaging. In this study, polymeric films based on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were produced using extrusion technology with the addition of marjoram powder at concentrations of 1%, 3% and 5%. The second phase of the study involved determining the technological properties of the obtained films, including their antimicrobial, barrier, physical, and mechanical properties. The results of the research showed that polyethylene samples supplemented with marjoram powder exhibited antimicrobial properties against Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans at concentrations of 3% and 5%. However, the same samples did not exhibit any antimicrobial properties against Escherichia coli and Aspergillus niger at any concentration. Polyethylene samples with a 3% concentration demonstrated the greatest tensile strength in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. However, as the marjoram concentration increased, the elongation-at-break of the samples declined. Polyethylene films recorded the lowest elongation-at-break values at a 5% concentration in both directions. Water vapor permeability of the films also increased with marjoram powder concentration; it increased by 2.8 times at 3% compared to the control sample.
Food Packaging
Ali Sefa Onsekizoglu; Ali Durmus; Ferhat Şen; Memet Vezir Kahraman; Ismail Aydin
Abstract
In this study, LDPE compounds were prepared using different types of solid and liquid natural additives by melt compounding method. Spent coffee ground (SCG) and organoclay (OCL) powders were used as bio-based and mineral-based solid additives, respectively. Carvacrol and Liquidambar orientalis ...
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In this study, LDPE compounds were prepared using different types of solid and liquid natural additives by melt compounding method. Spent coffee ground (SCG) and organoclay (OCL) powders were used as bio-based and mineral-based solid additives, respectively. Carvacrol and Liquidambar orientalis (LO) oil were used as functional liquid additives. Morphological, thermal, mechanical, viscoelastic, and antimicrobial properties of samples were characterized with various analytical methods and the effects of solid and liquid additive combinations on the physical properties of film samples were quantified. It was observed that the SCG and LO oil made the film color darker but s till transparent. Contact angle measurements indicated that the liquid additives increased the hydrophilicity of LDPE films. Based on the thermal and physical tests, it was found that the solid additives acted as reinforcing agents in LDPE matrix but liquid additives significantly modified the physical properties of LDPE composite films such as increasing the elongation and recovery rates and decreasing the creep strength as well as the improving the antimicrobial properties. The analysis of antimicrobial properties of samples using gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria exhibited that the carvacrol and LO oil significantly inhibited the bacterial growth. This study showed that transparent and antimicrobial flexible packaging films with thermal and mechanical durability could be prepared using sustainable, natural, and waste materials.
