Natural bilayer active packaging for food using olive waste-derived polyphenols
Innovative bilayer packaging film made from olive waste polyphenols and chitosan, coated with polycaprolactone, offering antimicrobial, antioxidant, and barrier properties for sustainable food packaging.
Overview
The Natural Bilayer Active Packaging (NAP) technology presents a sustainable solution for the food packaging industry by utilizing olive waste-derived polyphenols. This bilayer film combines chitosan, known for its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, with polycaprolactone, which offers excellent water vapor and oxygen barrier properties. This innovative packaging solution addresses the excessive use of petroleum-based materials, providing a biodegradable alternative that enhances food preservation through its active properties.
Technical specifications
- Chitosan-based layer: Derived from fungi, chitosan provides antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, forming the film's base.
- Polycaprolactone coating: This biodegradable and biocompatible layer enhances mechanical properties and acts as a barrier against water vapor and oxygen.
- Active polyphenols: Recovered from olive waste, these polyphenols enhance the film's antioxidant capacity and contribute to its active packaging capabilities.
- Film preparation: The method involves a phase inversion process for incorporating polyphenols into the chitosan layer, followed by coating with polycaprolactone loaded with glyceryl tristearate to achieve desired barrier properties.
Technology readiness level
The NAP is currently at Technology Readiness Level 4. The development team has successfully created initial prototypes, and ongoing optimization and validation processes are focused on refining the film's properties. These processes include mechanical analysis, thermal stability tests, and permeability assessments to ensure efficacy in real-world applications.
About Universita della Calabria
Università della Calabria is a comprehensive public research university in southern Italy, anchored by a residential campus that concentrates teaching, research, and advanced instrumentation. Industry partners access co-located labs, pilot-scale facilities, and shared equipment through streamlined collaboration agreements and contract R&D. The university connects with regional SMEs and multinationals via internships, industry-sponsored theses, and applied research placements, and participates in European consortia that enable cross-border development. Research is supported by competitive funding from the European Commission and national ministries, along with regional development programs. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation, complemented by entrepreneurship programs and spaces for prototyping and testing.
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