Application of coating technology to improve the sustainability of mono-material packaging systems.
In recent years, the industry’s interest in food packaging solutions that meet the requirements of sustainability and circularity has continued to grow. Multilayer materials are the primary solution for many product categories, offering maximum protection by ensuring food shelf-life. However, the difficult management of the end-of-life, coupled with recent legislative developments, requires a reconsideration of conventional packaging solutions in order to make material recycling more efficient, without compromising its functional properties.
In this scenario, thin-film coating on traditional systems (PE, PP, PET) is a particularly interesting technology. Therefore, a recent study by a group of Italian researchers (Carullo et al., 2024) aimed to compare the functional properties of a PE-based mono-material thin film with a high oxygen barrier, developed with coating technology, and three traditional multi-layer materials. The outcome of this study suggests an absolute interchangeability between the latter and the proposed mono-material solution in terms of optical (transparency), mechanical (tensile strength/sealability) and gas/vapor barrier properties (CO2/O2, H2O).
In addition, LCA analysis demonstrates the lower environmental impact of mono-material compared to heterogeneous configurations. In conclusion, the results obtained so far confirm the potential of mono-materials with functional coating as a valid alternative to multi-layer food packaging, matching the growing demand for more environmentally sustainable solutions.
Fluid and supercritical extraction with CO2 to obtain products with high added value starting from tomato residues.
The production of tomato derivatives generates high amounts of waste, such as skins, seeds and pulp residues, which account for about 7.0-7.5% of the raw material and are a valuable source of bioactives (carotenoids, anthocyanins and flavonoids). The extraction of the latter involves the use of organic solvents such as hexane, acetone and petroleum ether.
In order to reduce the environmental impact, a recent study by a group of Italian researchers (De Luca et al., 2024), assessed the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) in supercritical and fluid form for this extraction. Extracts from whole skins, seeds and waste have been characterized to determine the amount of carotenoids, total polyphenol content (TPC), antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH) and fatty acid composition.
The results show that the samples are rich in lycopene, β-carotene and polyphenols, with high antioxidant properties and high extraction yields. The extracts also show a high amount of linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid, giving them fluidity and a low melting point. In conclusion, extracts obtained from tomato residues using CO2 can be usefully used by the food industry for the preparation of functional foods, as well as for the preparation of biofilms for packaging.
References: Carullo et al., Convegno Nazionale di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari, Bari, June 12-13, 38.; De Luca et al., Convegno Nazionale di Scienze e Tecnologie Alimentari, Bari, June 12-13, 59.
