Selection of Nanomaterial‐Based Active Agents for Packaging Application: Using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a Tool

• Published in: Packaging technology & science Vol. 30; no. 9; pp. 575 - 586
• Main Authors: Zhang, Hai, Hortal, Mercedes, Dobon, Antonio, Jorda‐Beneyto, Maria, Bermudez, Jose M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bognor Regis Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2017
• Subjects: active packaging; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Environmental impact; food contact; Food irradiation; Food packaging; Life cycle assessment; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); Life cycle engineering; Life cycles; Mathematical analysis; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Product safety; Silver; sustainability; Titanium oxides
• ISSN: 0894-3214; 1099-1522
• DOI: 10.1002/pts.2238

The interest for using metallic nanoparticles for active packaging derives from its superior antimicrobial efficacy, no negative impacts on the food sensory properties and compatibility with harsh polymer processing conditions. There are a few candidates for this purpose, and the selection of which can be assisted by considering the packaging's environmental impacts. As a case study, three packaging films incorporating different active agents (silver nanoparticles, titanium dioxide nanoparticles and a mixture of both) were evaluated using life cycle assessment and the associated impacts were calculated and compared. The functional unit was set in such a way that it directly focuses on the function that the antimicrobial packaging is supposed to deliver: to ensure food safety and quality. To this end, the antimicrobial efficacy of each agent was integrated in the environmental impact calculation. The results show that the film incorporating the mixture of nanoparticles had the lowest environmental impacts. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Packaging materials incorporating different active agents (silver nanoparticles and titanium dioxide nanoparticles) were investigated with life cycle assessment. The antimicrobial efficacy of each agent was considered in the life cycle assessment calculation. The results indicate that the packaging using a mixture of both nanoparticles had the lowest environmental impact.