Brasil Pack Trends 2020

BrasilPackTrends2020 150 qual ity and new technologies FIGURE 6.10 Label that turns into soap at the fruit washing Source: Press Release alcohols, gases (chlorine dioxide, triclosan ) and natural extracts. Cinnamon, clove, garlic, oregano, rosemary and grapefruit seed extracts, when incorporated into package systems, have been effective against the microbiology deterioration. Traditional fungicides used in agriculture such as benomyl (C 14 H 8 N 4 O 3 ) and imazalil (C 14 H 14 Cl 2 N 2 O) have been incorporated in plastic films showing antifungal activities. Since the most of antimicrobial agents have different action mechanisms, the mixture of active compounds can increase the shelf life through a mechanism of synergy. The antimicrobial agents can be directly incorporated into the package material, in the form of a mechanical mixture at the polymer processing or chemically immobilized and applied as a coating. In the chemical immobilization, covalent bonds immobilize the antimicrobial agent in the polymeric structure and an intense contact between the package and the product is necessary, such as what happen with vacuum-packed products and low viscosity liquids. The main focus on the development will probably be the mechanisms of manipulation of the antimicrobial agents, their liberation kinetics and the natural antimicrobials, incorporated in synthetic polymers or in biopolymers. The preference for the natural antimicrobials is due to the possibility of ease getting a legal approval and attending the requirements of the consumer who seeks healthier food and natural products. The main challenges can be summarized in: meeting the legal requirements related to the approval for food contact; tradeoffs related to adverse effects over the product, the consumer health and/or the environment; lack of efficacy evidences; need of direct contact with the active agent and high costs. FIGURE 6.9 Sulfur dioxide quick release emitter – Grape Guard. Sodium metabisulfite is the active compound applied in laminated films for grape preservation Source: Press Release Although this is not a commercial reality, the Fruitwash Label might be a trend related to labeling. The current labels, besides being hard to remove, are most used only for producer identification and, in a few cases, they are used as a source of information about the fruit origin and allow the inclusion of a barcode. The Fruitwash Label (Figure 6.10) turns itself into soap as the fruit is washed, helping to remove the dirt and other residues that might be on the product suface. Hygenization