Biodegradable containers that lengthen the life of the foods thanks to molecules of garlic

The Technological Institute of the plastic (Aimplas) has coordinated the investigations of the European project PLA4FOOD that have allowed to develop a new generation of containers for foods in which for the first time they combine biodegradable and active properties. It treats of trays and plastic bags manufactured from pertinent materials of renewable sources (PLA or sour poliláctico) in which they have packed distinct types of lettuces and shoots, as well as tomatoes. The result obtained is an increase of the useful life of the food of more than 15%.

To attain this increase of the length of his content, the innovative trays and stock exchanges of the project PLA4FOOD have been aditivadas with natural extracts. Specifically with molecules of garlic encapsuladas that of this form free of way controlled his antioxidant properties, antimicrobic and antifúngicas once go in in contact with the foods.

The containers obtained thanks to this project are so much rigid (trays) as flexible (film for stock exchanges), and in both cases are composed by three layers. The active natural additives find only in the most internal layer, the one who is in contact with the foods. Thanks to them, in the case of the lettuce iceberg has observed that the oxidation in the zones of cut takes 15% or more time in appearing compared with the current containers. In all the cases, passed the useful life of the food, these showed tersura, rigidity and were apt for the consumption, whereas the vegetables packed in the conventional containers were wetted and pochas, and appeared molds in the tomatoes, and microorganisms in all the foods. In the external layer have incorporated absorbers of humidity, that in the case of the salads result of vital importance, since what more time remain dry the product more time will conserve his best appearance. Finally, in all the layers of the container has had additive plastificantes that also are biodegradable and that improve the properties of the material of face to his processed industrial. Specifically, it has attained elevate the flexibility of the acid poliláctico conventional 30%.

In addition to all this, this multilayered structure allows to use each alone additive in the layer in which it is necessary, with what obtain several advantages added: The first a container of lower thickness and the rest are derived of this, since it attains a saving so much of material, as of weight.

In the containers developed in the project PLA4FOOD all are advantages, even once this refuses . The material with which has manufactured this new generation of alimentary containers has his origin in renewable sources that besides do of him a biodegradable material and compostable. Once it finishes his function like continent for foods and in conditions of composting, the container has checked that it turns into credit thanks to a series of conditions of compostabilidad.