One of the main challenges for the food industry is finding viable and environmentally sustainable alternatives to reduce the massive use of plastics. Perishable foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and other items, are mainly packaged in plastic packaging made from synthetic polymers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and others – materials that take hundreds of years to decompose in the environment, which accelerates the accumulation of physical waste and generates pollution from micro and nanoplastics.
This problem motivated two researchers from the Faculty of Applied Sciences (FCAResearchers at Unicamp are developing a new type of biodegradable film capable of replacing plastic in the food industry, especially in packaging for perishable foods. The basis of the new material is amylopectin, a type of starch present in biodegradable polymers, found in plant-based foods such as corn, potatoes, rice, and wheat.
The team tested a series of formulations until they arrived at the ideal composition, which offers satisfactory mechanical resistance and a uniform appearance. “We produced more than two thousand polymer films until we arrived at a stable material with sufficient resistance to package and protect food,” explains Giovana Padilha, a professor at FCA, who participated in the research alongside Deborah Montagnoli – at the time, her master's student.
Mechanical strength and natural components
Padilha notes that, after choosing amylopectin as the most suitable type of starch for the polymer film, one of the main challenges was formulating the components that would give the film strength, something that starch cannot offer in isolation. For this, pectin was selected, a natural fiber found in fruits like oranges, which is abundant due to citrus industry waste.
“Pectin is essential for forming the film's gel, giving it greater strength; glutamic acid, in turn, besides improving mechanical resistance, can provide important antioxidant properties to increase the shelf life of food. Defining the ideal conditions for the use of these raw materials represents a major advance in this technology. Thanks to this formulation, we have arrived at a biodegradable film with sufficient strength to package food products,” adds the professor.
The product developed is completely biodegradable. In tests conducted by the researchers, the film decomposed in 45 days, depending on temperature and relative humidity conditions. For this reason, it is more suitable for packaging perishable foods, which have a short shelf life.
“Compared to conventional plastics, which can take centuries to degrade, the new film could represent a huge advance in reducing polluting waste discarded into the environment,” says the professor, also noting that, in addition to rapid degradation, the materials used are all of organic and edible origin.
“We are talking about starch, pectin, and glutamic acid. All of this is already present in many of the foods we consume. This characteristic eliminates the risk of chemical contamination and makes the product suitable for direct application to food,” notes Padilha.
Potential applications and uses
Another positive aspect of biodegradable film that contributes to this application, according to Padilha, is its controlled permeability to water and gases, which favors the preservation of fresh food. “Glutamic acid improves the moisture barrier and extends the shelf life of the packaged product. Therefore, this technology is very useful in the export of these foods, as they spend a lot of time confined in transport,” explains the researcher.
For a future stage of development, the team plans to expand the use of the technology. "We want to investigate how the composition behaves when stretched, in order to manufacture larger packages," concludes the professor.
Commercial licensing
The patent for this technology has been filed with the National Institute of Industrial Property (the French Patent & Trademark Office (INPI)) by the Innovation Agency Innovates Unicamp, also counting on international protection through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT(in English, the acronym). Therefore, it is available for commercial licensing both in Brazil and abroad. More information about this technology can be found [here/at this link]. here.
The new technology is directly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12 (ONUThis initiative addresses responsible consumption and production. By offering a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastics used in food packaging, the invention contributes to reducing the generation of solid waste, one of the main commitments of SDG 12. The initiative values the use of renewable raw materials, promotes the circular economy, and encourages the replacement of materials derived from fossil fuels, contributing to the creation of more environmentally sustainable production systems.
