Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), highly recognized for its reinforcing properties, are an organic nanosized material extracted from natural cellulose sources. CNCs were used for the development of active edible coatings and films packaging development based on natural polymers like caseinate, chitosan, alginate, methylcellulose or biodegradable polymers like polycaprolactone. Bio-polymeric diffusion devices encapsulated with plant derived essential oils or fruit extracts based nano-emulsions were evaluated against pathogens, fungal and weevil, Sitophillus oryzae in different food systems. The addition of CNCs as reinforcing filler improved significantly the tensile strength of the nanocomposite based films and decreased water barrier properties. In addition, combined treatment of bioactive films with an irradiation treatment showed more pronounced insecticide, antifungal and antimicrobial properties than treatment with the bioactive film alone. The effect of γ-irradiation on the surface chemistry of CNCs was also evaluated in order to develop films with antioxidant properties. Finally, CNCs was used to develop a biopolymer support membrane for the detection of E. coli O157: H7 and L. monocytogenes. The presentation will summarize the most important results obtained in these studies.

Development of functional packaging for food application

2019 Fall National Meeting

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