Food and Beverage Packaging

Biography

Biography: Jaejoon Han

Abstract

Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) is a major storage pest that penetrates into food packaging and causes serious economic losses, as well as posing health risks. The goal of this study was to develop effective anti-insect packaging materials against P. interpunctella by using plant essential oils (EOs). Several EOs were used as insect repellents, and fumigant mortality and the repellent activity of EOs were measured to evaluate subsistent anti-insect properties. Anti-insect packaging films containing EOs encapsulated by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) for repelling P. interpunctella larvae were manufactured using pilot plant-scale instruments. The microcapsule emulsion of EO and PVA was printed onto polypropylene (PP) film as an ink mixture using the gravure printing method. The printed PP film was then laminated with a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film to protect the printed side. Different types of multilayer films were produced based on EO concentration. Repellent activity of the developed films was also examined with several foods to simulate the storage environment, and EO films repelled P. interpunctella larvae effectively. In a release test using a gas chromatography, the anti-insect packaging materials showed remarkable controlled release of EOs. For sensory evaluation, which was performed using milk chocolate, caramel soft candy, and cookies packaged with the produced films, the films did not affect the sensory characteristics. Therefore, the films printed with emulsions of EO and PVA could be applied in the food industry to help protect foods from infestation by P. interpunctella.