IIT Madras develops antimicrobial wrapping material

Sustainable antibacterial, biodegradable food wrapper

October 17, 2020

281

IIT Madras — The antibacterial coated polymer wrapper was tested to wrap paneer, meat, and chicken.

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-M) announced that its researchers have developed a sustainable antimicrobial wrapping material that can prevent packaged food contamination by bacteria and reduce the plastic waste generated in the environment when disposing of the wrappers. The researchers said that this biodegradable food wrapper has an in-built antibacterial compound and is safe for consumption.

“We have developed a biodegradable wrapping material with in-built antibacterial activity to prevent bacterial growth in stored food,” study author Mukesh Doble from the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras, said in a statement. “The antibacterial compound should be safe for consumption as it is approved by the authorities and does not cause any toxicity,” Doble added.

The films developed by the IIT Madras team were made with polymeric blends containing starch, polyvinyl alcohol, cyclic beta glycans (CBG). The composition was optimized to achieve the best film with a smooth texture, flexibility, uniform thickness, and good clarity. The polymers used in the film are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The antibacterial agent selected is also approved by the food authority for consumption and includes eugenol, chlorogenic acid, betanin, curcumin, and gallic acid, among others. “These compounds are used regularly in Indian food and are known to possess antibacterial, antioxidant and many other beneficial bioactivities,” the statement added.

According to the researchers, the wrapping material they have developed also degrades at various environmental conditions, with the rate of degradation varying from 4 to 98% in 21 days. The wrapping material degraded rapidly in moist conditions when compared to dry ones. “Our wrapper is eco-friendly and can play a major role in plastic waste reduction,” Doble explained.

The researcher added that the antibacterial coated polymer wrapper was tested to wrap paneer, meat, and chicken. According to her, the conducted studies resulted in a 99.99% reduction in the bacterial colonies in food samples wrapped with this antibacterial wrap and stored at 30 degrees Celsius for ten days compared with a plain wrapper.

The impact, resilience, and growth of responsible packaging in a wide region are daily chronicled by Packaging South Asia.

A multi-channel B2B publication and digital platform such as Packaging South Asia is always aware of the prospect of new beginnings and renewal. Its 16-year-old print monthly, based in New Delhi, India has demonstrated its commitment to progress and growth. The Indian and Asian packaging industries have shown resilience in the face of ongoing challenges over the past three years.

As we present our publishing plan for 2023, India’s real GDP growth for the financial year ending 31 March 2023 will reach 6.3%. Packaging industry growth has exceeded GDP growth even when allowing for inflation in the past three years.

The capacity for flexible film manufacturing in India increased by 33% over the past three years. With orders in place, we expect another 33% capacity addition from 2023 to 2025. Capacities in monocartons, corrugation, aseptic liquid packaging, and labels have grown similarly. The numbers are positive for most of the economies in the region – our platform increasingly reaches and influences these.

Even given the disruptions of supply chains, raw material prices, and the challenge of responsible and sustainable packaging, packaging in all its creative forms and purposes has significant headroom to grow in India and Asia. Our context and coverage engulf the entire packaging supply chain – from concept to shelf and further – to waste collection and recycling. We target brand owners, product managers, raw material suppliers, packaging designers and converters, and recyclers.

In an admittedly fragmented and textured terrain, this is the right time to plan your participation and marketing support communication – in our impactful and highly targeted business platform. Tell us what you need. Speak and write to our editorial and advertising teams! For advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in , for editorial info@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in

– Naresh Khanna

Subscribe Now

As 2023 begins and FY 23-24 unfolds, will you support us?

What lies in store for the packaging industry in India and South Asia this coming year? Inflation, disruption of supply chains or environmental regulation? Or the resumption of high rural demand, continued investment and industry consolidation? Whatever happens, Packaging South Asia will be there, providing clarity and independent technical and business information in India and South Asia and around the world. We are a compact Indian organization bringing a window of fair and rigorous technical and business information that the industry can access this year and beyond. Please support us with your advertising and subscriptions, to keep us going and growing.

Thank you.