Edible packaging has become a hot technology in the current packaging industry

Research on edible packaging has focused on materials, processes and equipment. This article briefly discusses the research results achieved by the United States, Japan, Australia, and China.

1. Soy Protein Edible Packaging Film This packaging film was successfully developed by the research team headed by Frederic F. Schneider of the United States. It has many advantages, such as the ability to maintain moisture, but also to prevent the entry of oxygen, but also ensure the original taste of fat foods. After eating, it has high nutritional value and is easy to handle. It fully meets the requirements of environmental protection. After trial, the effect is very good.

2. Chitosan Edible Packaging Film This packaging film was successfully produced by the American Agricultural Research Institute and is mainly used for the packaging of fruits and vegetables. It uses shellfish extract chitosan as the main raw material. Combining chitosan with lauric acid produces a homogeneous edible film with a thickness of only 0.2-0.3 mm. The peeled fruit or fruit pieces (blocks) are packaged with the packaging film, which has a good preservation effect.

3, protein, fatty acid, starch composite edible packaging film This packaging film was developed by the University of Wisconsin. Its main feature is that different proportions of protein, fatty acid and starch can be combined together according to different needs to produce edible films with different physical properties. The larger the fatty acid molecules of the packaging film, the better the resistance to moisture loss by retarding the resistance.

4. Water-resistant protein film This packaging film was successfully developed by the Japan Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Food Research Institute. It is suitable for covering expanded starch foods. The film is a new type of packaging material that can replace foamed polystyrene, and its strength is comparable to that of a synthetic food film. Because its main ingredient is corn, it has biodegradability and does not pollute the environment.

5. Edible wrapper made from bean dregs as raw material This kind of edible wrapping paper was recently introduced by a company in Japan. It is best suited for instant noodles seasoned packaging. It is characterized by melting it with a hot water bubble, without tearing the package, not only convenient, but also has a certain nutritional value.

6. Edible packaging container This container was developed and produced by Queensland Potato Chip Containers Australia. It is mainly used for the packaging of potato chips. In the trial production process, imitating the processing technology of potato chips, they added smoke flavor, sauce flavor, chicken flavor, and seasonings with different flavors such as sour, salty, and spicy to satisfy different consumers' tastes. After the launch of the container, it was quickly used in Australia's 45,000 sales outlets for potato chips, which also attracted the attention of countries in the world. Now, its production equipment has entered the US market.

7, corn protein packaging film (paper, coating) This packaging film is developed by China. It is mainly used for the packaging and coating of fast food boxes and Other oiled foods. The film is a packaging material that is synthesized from paper and corn protein and cannot be wetted by fats and oils. It can be put into a boiler to boil without changing the properties.

8, insect film or protein coating packaging paper (container) This packaging is also developed by China successfully. It is non-toxic, easy to handle, and can withstand the erosion of certain temperatures and moisture. The wrapper or container is a film obtained by dissolving shellac or protein and subjected to a special process, or a wrapper or a packaging container coated on a cardboard or paper container by a coating process.

9, corn starch sodium alginate or chitosan composite packaging film (paper) These two packaging films (paper) are developed by China, they can be used for preserved fruit, cakes, instant noodles soup and other convenience foods inner packaging. Its main features are high tensile strength and elongation, as well as good water resistance. The two packaging films (paper) were soaked in boiling water for more than 10 minutes, and their performance did not change much. The two packaging films (paper) are corn starch-based materials, respectively, adding sodium alginate or chitosan, together with a certain amount of plasticizers, tackifiers, preservatives, processed by a special process.

10, biological glue coating packaging paper This packaging paper is also developed by China successfully. Packaging containers made from this coated wrapper can be used for fast food or food packaging that requires a certain temperature and moisture. It is a water-resistant and oil-resistant coating wrapper made of special starch glue and bone glue, with a certain amount of additives, and coating (or spraying) the obtained rubber compound on the surface of paper.