Actualidad
'NanoPack Project' introduces antimicrobial food Packaging
The project has been awarded ?7.7 million to develop and demonstrate a solution for extending food shelf life by using novel antimicrobial surfaces. NanoPack, which is led by the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, is funded as part of Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation. Thanks to EU financing it can run a three-year project aimed at demonstrating, validating and testing food-packaging products with antimicrobial surfaces based upon natural materials. NanoPack will also look into scientific, technological, economic, safety and regulatory challenges to make sure consumers can eventually benefit from this novel packaging.
21 February, 2017
Redaccion
The project has been awarded ?7.7 million to develop and demonstrate a solution for extending food shelf life by using novel antimicrobial surfaces. NanoPack, which is led by the Technion,?Israel Institute of Technology, is funded as part of Horizon?2020, the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation. Thanks to EU financing it can run a three-year project aimed at demonstrating, validating and testing food-packaging products with antimicrobial surfaces based upon natural materials. NanoPack will also look into scientific, technological, economic, safety and regulatory challenges to make sure consumers can eventually benefit from this novel packaging.How does it work?The active polymer films developed by NanoPack have broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties unmet by existing state-of-the-art materials, which include currently used nanomaterials such as silver particles, which have raised health concerns of toxicity and microbial resistance. Applying the power of nanotechnology, the project will employ polymer composites based on natural Halloysite Nanotubes (HNTs) as reliable and safe carriers, capable of tailored release of bioactivepayloads. Due to their size, HNTs are unable to migrate from the food packaging into food. Maximizing safety, NHTs slowly release minute amounts of potent, volatile and broad-spectrum, natural and EU-approved essential oils into the packaging headspace. The NanoPack food packaging will release bioactive compounds which are natural potent essential oils that exhibit both antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties. ?NanoPack will demonstrate a solution for extending food shelf life by using novel smart antimicrobial surfaces, applied in active food packaging products. NanoPack will enhance food safety for consumers by significant growth inhibition of foodborne microbes, which in turn will prevent foodborne illness outbreaks and early spoilage? Dr. Ester Segal, NanoPack?s coordinator and associate professor at the Technion. More information?
