Bionanocomposite materials have potential applications in food packaging due to their barrier properties and sustainability. Nanoparticles can be incorporated into biopolymers through methods like polymerization, exfoliation, and intercalation to form bionanocomposites. This improves properties such as mechanical strength and gas barrier effects compared to biopolymers alone. Bionanocomposites show promise as active packaging through inclusion of antimicrobial nanoparticles. However, more research is needed to understand potential human health risks from nanoparticle migration before wide commercial use. Regulations are being developed to ensure safety of nanomaterials used in food applications.

1. BIONANOCOMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR
FOOD PACKAGING:
Concepts and Future Outlook
Beena R.L
Assistant Professor

3. There are five basic packaging materials, and among
them, plastic materials obtained from petrochemical sources have
been more extensively utilized. The greater part of them are
utilized in the form of films, cups, sheets, tubes, bottles, trays, and
so on.

5. Biopolymers
Biopolymers are polymers that occur in nature. It can
significantly decrease our dependence on manufactured, non-
renewable resources.

7. • Weak mechanical properties like brittleness
• Low heat disruption temperature
• High gas and water vapour permeability
Diverse methods can be used to improve the barrier
properties of natural polymers, including the use of polymer
blends, high-barrier coating materials, and multi-layered films
that contain a high-barrier film. In addition to these strategies, a
novel technique for this purpose is the use of nanocomposite.
Limitations………………

8. Father of Nanotechnology
RICHARD FEYNMAN, USA
“There’s plenty of room at the
bottom”
Nobel Prize in Physics, 1965
Nanotechnology is now recognized as one of the most promising
areas for technological development in the 21st century.

9. Nanotechnology deals with the synthesis and
characterization of materials in the size ranging from 1 to 100 nm
referred to as nanomaterials that include:
 Nanoparticles
 Nanofibres / nanotubes / nanoplates
 Nanocomposites
onlinelibrary.wiley.com

10. Nanocomposite consists of two or more components,
with atleast one component having dimensions in nm regime
(ie,1-100nm)
Due to their size, nanoparticles have proportionately
larger surface area and consequently more surface atoms than
their micro scale counterparts, Very high surface area to volume
ratio helps to have strong interfacial adhesion between
nanoparticles and matrix which in turn leads to form
composites with outstanding properties such as higher
mechanical, thermal and barrier properties in comparison to
their conventional micro composite counterparts,
Bionanocomposites are obtained by incorporating natural
compounds. They have the advantage of being more stable,
adaptive and are multifunctional offering huge array of
interdisciplinary industrial applications . Often metal ions are
incorporated into them to impart antimicrobial properties.

11. Schematic illustration of the overall procedure for the preparation of
nanocomposites and improvement of the barrier properties
Mihindukulasuriya & Lim, 2014

12. Methods:
 Polymerization -monomers are added to layered clays and
afterwards polymerized via heat, radiation, or catalyst.
 Exfoliation-layered clays are exfoliated (split) into thin,
individual platelets employing a solvent, and the polymer is
adsorbed onto the platelets by mixing in the clay suspension
 Intercalation /Insertion-layered clays are blended with the
polymer matrix in a molten state
(Zeng et al., 2005)
Melt intercalation in an extruder is one of the most promising
techniques for developing nanocomposites because of its ease and
versatility. Biopolymer-based nanocomposite films using extrusion
will increase the potential for commercialization of these films.

13. When compared to the neat polymer, it has
been reported that the barrier properties can be improved by
about 50% by the creation of a maze structure that results in a
tortuous path for gases and other molecules, thereby reducing
their permeation rate,

14. Bionanocomposites could be either thermoformed into
trays and containers for food service or cast into films for food
packaging applications.

16. Bio-nanocomposites in active packaging

17. Nanofillers, such as silver, zinc oxide, and magnesium
oxide, have antimicrobial or antioxidant activities.
Incorporation of these nanofillers in polymer or biopolymer
matrices leads to an inhibiting or retarding effect on the growth
of microorganisms, thereby reducing food spoilage,
Shankar et al. (2015) studied the physiochemical
properties of antimicrobial composite films made from gelatin
and different types of zinc oxide nanoparticles.
Rafieian et al. (2014) studied the thermomechanical and
morphological properties of bionanocomposite films made from
wheat gluten matrix and cellulose nanofibrils.
Arfat et al. (2017) studied the thermo-mechanical,
rheological, structural, and antimicrobial properties of fish skin
gelatin films incorporated with silver-copper nanoparticles.

18. Kumar et al (2010), prepared and characterized the bio-
nanocomposite films based on soy protein isolate and montmorillonite
using melt extrusion. These bio-nanocomposite films could potentially
be used for packaging of high moisture foods such as fresh fruits and
vegetables to replace some of the existing plastics such as low density
polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC).
Magnesium oxide (MgO) can be used as a nanofiller to
improve antibacterial properties of the material. Studies have shown
that MgO-reinforced chitosan bio-nanocomposite incorporated with
clove oil possesses antibacterial activity against S. aureus (Sanuja et al.,
2014).
Most anti-microbial nanocomposites used for food packaging
are made from silver, which has an intense toxicity to a large variety
of microorganisms

19. Bio-nanocomposite film showed good mechanical and optical
properties with decreased water sensitivity and good barrier
properties against environmental microorganisms compared to
the control PVA films. The bio-nanocomposite film was found
to be easily biodegradable in indoor soil burial test
Shiji et al ; 2019

20. Nanocomposites in intelligent packaging
Intelligent packagings are able to communicate with the
consumers and give information about the product condition
through the food chain. These packagings can monitor, trace, or
record outer or inner changes that are occurring in the product
or its environment.
By applying reactive components in the form of
nanoparticles and making so-called nanosensors, into food
packaging, detection of certain chemical compounds, pathogens,
and toxins in food would be possible. This also fulfills the need
for exact expiry dates, which, in many cases, are not suitable for
the products due to false estimation of product condition during
storage.

21. Intelligent Packaging

22. Safety Issues of Nanomaterials
The effect of these nanoscale particles on human beings,
animals, and the environment are unpredictable due to changes
over time in their properties. Some nanoparticles can even cross
biological barriers, such as the blood - brain barrier, and enter
various cells and organs.
The possible health risk of the consumption of food
containing nanoscale compounds transferred from the
packaging is not yet fully understood though it is known to
depend on the particles toxicity, size, morphology, the rates of
migration and ingestion (Cushen et al., 2012).

23. As long as the nanoparticles remain bound in the food
packaging materials, exposure is limited or very low. However,
migration of nanoparticles incorporated in food material to
human is high risk. Health impact and safety regarding the use
of nanoparticles was reported by Teow et al. (2011).
Understanding the behaviour and mechanism of action of
nanoparticles in biological systems, for the development of safe
nanotechnology was discussed by Stark (2011).
Recently, it is reported that TiO2 nanoparticles capable of
inducing "tumor like" changes in exposed human cells (Botelho
et al., 2014).
Some nanoparticles interact with protein and enzymes
leading to induction of oxidative stress and destruction of
mitochondria following the administration of nanoparticles
(Hajipour et al., 2012).

24. Regulations
Due to health implications of nanoparticles that enter
body, assessment of potential risks to human health is urgently
needed.
In United States, nano-foods and most of the food
packaging are regulated by the USFDA (Badgley et al., 2007).
While in Australia, nano-food additives and ingredients are
regulated by Food Standards Australia.
The raising regulatory issues enforced many countries to
establish regulatory systems capable of managing any risks
associated with Nano food.
Recently, EU regulations established that any food
ingredient result from application of nanotechnologies must
undergo safety assessment before being authorized for use
(Cubadda et al., 2013).

25. Relevant regulation for nano-packaging

26. Conclusion
Biopolymers are cheap, biodegradable and biocompatible,
and they are considered as an appropriate replacement for
synthetic plastic
Nanotechnology can modify permeability of packaging
material, increasing barrier properties, improving mechanical
and heat-resistance, developing active antimicrobial surfaces,
and creates nano-biodegradable packaging materials.
The possible health risk of the consumption of food
containing nanoscale compounds transferred from the packaging
is not yet fully understood though it is known to depend on the
particles toxicity, size, morphology, the rates of migration and
ingestion. Potential human risk assessment need to be addressed
before making it a wide reality.

27. THANK YOU

28. References
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Applications (book on-line). Springer International Publishing. Available:
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-67319-6. (06 Jan. 2020).
• Mathew, S., Jayakumar, A., Kumar, V.P., Mathew, J. and Radhakrishnan,
E.K. 2019. One-step synthesis of eco-friendly boiled rice starch blended
polyvinylalcohol bionanocomposite films decorated with in situ generated
silver nanoparticles for food packaging purpose. Intl. J. Biological
Macromolecules. 139:1-11.
• Pande, V.V. and Sanklecha, V.M. 2017. Bionanocomposite: A review.
Austin.J. Nanomed Nanotechnol. 5 (1): 1-3.
• Tsagkaris, A.S.,Tzegkas, S.G. and Danezis, G.P. 2018. Nanomaterials in
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Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-018-3266-z (07 Jan. 2020).