Nowadays the use of petroleum-based synthetic polymers as packaging materials causes environmental concerns due to their non-biodegradability. So, the growing interest is in progress to develop new packaging materials based on biopolymers to substitute petroleum-based synthetic polymers. Biopolymers are environmentally friendly, low cost, renewable and have film forming properties that make them suitable for the production of edible film as food packaging material. In this way, pectin as a by-product of agriculture and food industry has attracted more attention. However, the edible films produced from natural polymers and pure pectin have poor barrier, thermomechanical properties and weak water resistance due to their hydrophilic nature and they show weak water barrier properties at higher relative humidity. Crystalline nanocellulose (CNC) fibers are known to be more efficient than their microsized counterparts for the reinforcing of polymers. On the other hand, the microbial contamination is known as a main reason of fast putrefaction of meat based products. Development of active packaging films with antimicrobial properties to improve the shelf-life of meat based products can be considered as an efficient approach.

Research program

• Development of pectin-based bionanocomposite film reinforced with CNC.
• Selection the efficient antimicrobial combinations based on essential oils
• Analysis the effects of added antimicrobial ingredients on the physical and mechanical properties of pectin based film
• Investigation the efficacy of optimum active edible coating based on pectin/CNC  on the shelf life of meat based products