An environmentally friendly packaging product to extend the shelf life of products

Abstract

An environmentally friendly packaging product to extend the shelf life of perishable products, including: • an inner layer with moringa leaf biopolymer extract with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, formulated with 60-70% moringa leaf extract and 30-40% water or solvent; and • an outer layer with moringa seed biopolymer and cellulose nanocrystals, formulated with 50-60% moringa seed biopolymer and 40-50% cellulose nanocrystals from sugar cane bagasse.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to an environmentally friendly packaging product for extending the shelf life of products. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Maintaining the freshness of fruits, vegetables, and flowers throughout the supply chain, from producer to consumer, significantly impacts their quality and reduces crop waste. Because these products are highly sensitive to heat and perishable, they tend to soften and lose quality during transport and storage, resulting in substantial losses. Existing packaging is primarily made of synthetic or non-biodegradable materials, exacerbating these concerns as it does not optimally control the ripening process and is not necessarily biodegradable, raising environmental concerns. Against this backdrop, the food industry is constantly demanding highly innovative, environmentally friendly packaging solutions with improved physical, mechanical, and barrier properties, coupled with the urgent need for sustainability.This offers a unique opportunity to capture agricultural waste such as sugarcane bagasse and coat it with the health-promoting properties of moringa in a two-layer coating. This preserves the freshness of the products, extends their shelf life, improves their appearance, and provides additional health benefits. At the same time, the packaging is more sustainable and reduces the use of harmful plastics. This approach not only addresses global trends in environmental responsibility but can also be used more broadly to maintain a more sustainable and efficient food supply.

[0003] The proposed invention not only addresses the preservation of freshness and the extension of the shelf life of perishable fruits, vegetables and flowers along supply chains, but also overcomes the challenges of existing packaging methods, which are synthetic and non-biodegradable, resulting in significant resource waste and environmental pollution.

[0004] This invention is a new, two-layer biopolymer coating that combines the advantages of Moringa-based biopolymers with cellulose nanocrystals from sugar cane bagasse, thus helping to preserve freshness and extend the shelf life of climacteric products in an environmentally friendly way. Summary of the invention

[0005] This invention proposes a new environmentally friendly packaging solution with a two-layer biopolymer coating that combines moringa-based biopolymers and cellulose nanocrystals derived from sugarcane bagasse. This packaging offers improved mechanical strength, barrier properties, and sustainability, while also extending the shelf life of climacteric products. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] This invention proposes a new environmentally friendly packaging solution with a two-layer biopolymer coating that combines moringa-based biopolymers and cellulose nanocrystals derived from sugarcane bagasse. This packaging offers improved mechanical strength, barrier properties, and sustainability, while also extending the shelf life of climacteric products.

[0007] The packaging product consists of two layers: an inner layer and an outer layer. The composition of each layer is as follows: 1. Inner layer: ◯ Moringa leaf extract (biopolymer): 60-70% ◯ Water / Solvent: 30-40% 2. Outer layer: ◯ Moringa seed extract (biopolymer): 50-60% ◯ Cellulose nanocrystals (from sugar cane bagasse): 40-50%

[0008] These ratios can be easily adjusted depending on the specific requirements of the product to be packaged, such as perishability, moisture content and shelf life requirements. Production of the packaging product:

[0009] Step 1: Preparation of the inner layer (Moringa leaf biopolymer) 1. Collecting and drying: Moringa leaves are collected and air-dried in a clean environment until they are crisp and moisture-free. 2. Pulverization: The dried moringa leaves are ground into a fine powder. 3. Extraction of biopolymer: ◯ The ground moringa leaf powder is mixed with water or a suitable solvent (ethanol or methanol) in a ratio of 1:4 (leaf powder to solvent). ◯ The mixture is stirred and heated to 60-80 °C for 2-3 hours to facilitate the extraction of the biopolymer. ◯ After heating, the mixture is filtered to remove insoluble solids, leaving behind a Moringa biopolymer solution. 4. Concentration: The biopolymer solution is concentrated by reducing the water content using low-temperature evaporation or vacuum evaporation techniques until the desired thickness is achieved. Step 2: Preparation of the outer layer (Moringa seed biopolymer and cellulose nanocrystals) 1. Extraction of moringa seed biopolymers: ◯ Moringa seeds are crushed and mixed with water or another suitable solvent (in a ratio of 1:5 of seeds to solvent). ◯ The mixture is stirred and heated to 70-90 °C for 2-3 hours to extract the biopolymer. ◯ The solution is filtered and the liquid part containing the biopolymer is retained. 2. Isolation of cellulose nanocrystals from sugar cane bagasse: ◯ Sugar cane bagasse is purified and dried before being treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at a concentration of 3-5% to remove lignin and hemicellulose. ◯ After treatment, the fibers are further processed using an acid hydrolysis process (usually with sulfuric acid) to break down the cellulose into nanocrystals. ◯ The nanocrystals are washed and neutralized to remove all acid residues, resulting in a suspension of cellulose nanocrystals. 3. Mixing and formulating the outer layer: ◯ The moringa seed biopolymer extract and the cellulose nanocrystal suspension are mixed in the desired ratio (typically 1:1 or 50-60% moringa biopolymer, 40-50% cellulose nanocrystals). ◯ Stir the mixture vigorously until a homogeneous solution is formed. ◯ Additional thickening agents or plasticizers (such as glycerin, 1-3% of the total volume) may be added. Step 3: Applying the coating

[0010] 1. Coating process: The inner layer is first applied to the product surface by dipping, spraying, or brushing. The coating then dries naturally or by circulating air drying at 40-50 °C for 1-2 hours. ◯ Once the inner layer is dry, the outer layer (containing the moringa seed biopolymer and cellulose nanocrystals) is applied using the same method as the inner layer. ◯ Air-dried at 40-50 °C or oven-dried until completely hardened. Step 4: Final packaging product • The end product is a two-layer, biodegradable, environmentally friendly packaging film that can be used to package fruits, vegetables and flowers to extend their shelf life and offers both barrier and health benefits. Advantages of the invention

[0011] Improved barrier protection: Such a two-layer design effectively combines Moringa-based biopolymers with cellulose nanocrystals to achieve improved barrier properties regarding ethylene gas exchange and moisture loss, which is very important for extending the shelf life of climacteric products.

[0012] Antimicrobial and antioxidant effect: A unique feature of this type of coating, not found in standard coatings, is the antimicrobial and antioxidant effect of the Moringa biopolymers. These work synergistically to prevent spoilage and thus preserve the nutritional value of the product. Sustainability and benefits:

[0013] Biodegradability: In this respect, both the Moringa-based biopolymer and the cellulose nanocrystals are fully biodegradable, as they are renewable and of natural origin and therefore have minimal impact on the environment compared to synthetic, less biodegradable counterparts.

[0014] Health benefits: The integrated antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Moringa enhance the health benefits of the coating and increase its value beyond what a conventional packaging solution would offer.

[0015] Cost efficiency: Replacing wood with agricultural waste such as sugar cane bagasse for cellulose nanocrystals not only reduces material costs and waste, but also proves to be less expensive and more environmentally friendly.

Claims

[1] An environmentally friendly packaging product for extending the shelf life of climacteric products, comprising: • an inner layer with moringa leaf biopolymer extract with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, formulated with 60-70% moringa leaf extract and 30-40% water or solvent; and • an outer layer with moringa seed biopolymer and cellulose nanocrystals, formulated with 50-60% moringa seed biopolymer and 40-50% cellulose nanocrystals from sugar cane bagasse. [2] Packaging product according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer is applied as the first coating to the surface of the product, followed by the application of the outer layer, and each layer is dried naturally or with forced air at 40-50°C. [3] Packaging product according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer gives the product antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, prevents spoilage and maintains freshness. [4] Packaging product according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer serves as a gas and moisture barrier, minimizing ethylene gas exchange and moisture loss, thereby extending the shelf life of the product. [5] Packaging product according to claim 1, wherein the combination of Moringa-based biopolymers and cellulose nanocrystals provides improved mechanical strength, gas and moisture barrier properties, antimicrobial effect and biodegradability. [6] Packaging product according to claim 1, wherein the use of cellulose nanocrystals derived from sugar cane bagasse replaces conventional synthetic materials, thereby promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact. [7] Packaging product according to claim 1, wherein both the inner and outer layers are fully biodegradable and made from renewable, natural resources, contributing to an environmentally friendly packaging solution.