Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Middle East Foam & Polyurethane
  • UTECH Asia/PU China
  • UTECH Europe
  • UTECH Las Americas
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Ukraine
  • News
    • Asia
    • Americas
    • Europe
    • M & A
    • Financial results
    • Automotive
  • Data
  • Information
    • Country Overview
    • Market Sector overviews
    • Technical articles
    • Company profiles and strategies
  • Events
    • Exhibitions
    • Conferences
    • Webinars / Livestreams
    • Become a Speaker
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Issues
  • Subscribe
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
March 10, 2023 01:05 PM

PU microcapsules give food packaging film antibacterial properties

Sarah Houlton
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    raspberries raspberry food 800

    Shanghai – Polyurethane-encapsulated essential oils have been used to give food packaging films antibacterial properties. The films themselves are starch-based.

    The films were created by a team of scientists at Shanghai Institute of Technology’s school of perfume and aroma technology. The idea was that the antibacterial essential oils could be added to a biodegradable film as an alternative for food preservation.

    Three essential oils were blended together, and then encapsulated in PU via interfacial polymerisation to form microcapsule, which they named [email protected] The capsules had a uniform morphology, and an average size of about 3µm. A high loading capacity of 59% was possible.

    The [email protected] microcapsules were then incorporated into a potato starch film. This novel film was found to block more than 90% of UV light, and had low cell toxicity.

    The long-term release of the microcapsules provided sustained antibacterial ability. The team found that fresh blueberries and raspberries had a shelf-life of more than a week at 25°C. The films were also biodegradable, with a 95% degradation in natural soil after eight days.

    They suggest that the films could provide a natural and safe alternative for food preservation.

    The work has been published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.

    Recommended for You
    covestro baytown 2023 800
    Covestro’s Baytown plant granted ISCC Plus certification
    Aether and Aramco sign up to commercialise carbon dioxide-based polyols
    Aether and Aramco sign up to commercialise carbon dioxide-based polyols
    PU foam given thermal energy storage capability
    PU foam given thermal energy storage capability
    Latest Issue
    urethanes tech feb-march 2023 issue
    Get the latest edition here
    View All Archives
    Get our newsletters

    Breaking news and in-depth coverage of essential topics delivered straight to your inbox.

    Subscribe today

    Register to access our archive of leading information on the polyurethanes industry.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube

    Follow us on social media for the latest polyurethanes industry news and event updates.

    Logo
    Contact Us

    Crain Communications
    11, Ironmonger Lane
    London
    EC2V 8EY
    United Kingdom

    Editorial
    Phone +44 (0) 20 3287 5935
    Email click to send

    Customer Service
    Phone +1 313 446 0450
    Email click to send

    Resources
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Staff
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Ukraine
    • News
      • Asia
      • Americas
      • Europe
      • M & A
      • Financial results
      • Automotive
    • Data
    • Information
      • Country Overview
      • Market Sector overviews
      • Technical articles
      • Company profiles and strategies
    • Events
      • Exhibitions
      • Conferences
      • Webinars / Livestreams
      • Become a Speaker
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Issues
    • Subscribe