by: Mariel Trejo
Images comparing the shelf-life of grapes with a low-density polyethylene film and the whey product concentrate with oregano essential oil film studied. Images taken from Sajimon et.al. 2023.
The high use of plastic is a detrimental problem that affects ecosystems through accumulation of waste. Therefore, scientists are developing ways to reduce plastic waste through biodegradable packaging. Edible packaging produces zero waste, and it can be made from the leftover products of other industries. In this research article, whey, a by-product from cheese production, and oregano essential oil were studied together to see their effectiveness as a sustainable packaging option.
Whey product concentrate with varying concentrations of oregano essential oil were being used to develop a film. The study tested the following: antimicrobial activity, shelf-life, biodegradability, water aspects like moisture absorptions, and solubility. A higher concentration of oregano essential oil showed an increase in antimicrobial properties. In the biodegradability test, the film was compared to a low-density polyethylene sheet, PVA film, and the whey product concentrate film. The developed film degraded faster in a ten-day period than the PVA film and low-density polyethylene sheet. The result of this study showed that a whey product concentrate film with a 3% oregano essential oil was just right to package food.
The packaging this research developed is also reducing the waste of the milk protein processing, and it showed to increase the shelf-life of grapes. As we start to shift to more sustainable replacements for big pollutants such as plastic, some tradeoffs can include hidden environmental impacts in production and stricter regulations on the packaging making it less accessible. Also, consumers may be skeptical of buying foods packaged in the film, and not every food will be compatible with the packaging. However, this research shows the future for many packaged food items as we search for new sustainable solutions to the plastic waste problem by preventing pollution first.
Sajimon A, Edakkadan AS, Subhash AJ, Ramya M. 2023. Incorporating oregano (origanum vulgare L.) essential oil onto whey protein concentrate based edible film towards sustainable active packaging. J. Food Sci. Technol. 60(9):2408-22. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-023-05763-7
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