Use of biodegradable blend for packaging of organic Hom Mali brown rice
Conference proceedings article
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Publication Details
Author list: Khaosaeng S., Netpradit S., Ratchatanapun P., Tanprasert K.
Publisher: Hindawi
Publication year: 2012
Start page: 473
End page: 480
Number of pages: 8
ISBN: 9781605950846
eISSN: 1745-4557
Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)
Abstract
Organic Hom Mali brown rice has gained popularity among health conscious consumers not only because of its supreme fragrance but mainly for the nutrient, it provides as well as the absence of chemical in the production process. The rice is currently packaged in a vacuum plastic bag made of nylon and polyethylene as it is very sensitive to oxygen. A more environmentally friendly package is being sought after by the rice manufacturer. Biodegradable films are increasingly used as a packaging material but it has not been used to package rice. The goal of this research is to use commercially available biodegradable blend of petroleum-based and bio-based biodegradable polymer as a packaging material or a part of packaging material. The objectives are to study its effect its use as a single layer film and as a laminated structure with nylon in combination with packing method (vacuum and atmospheric packaging with oxygen absorber) on headspace gas and rice characteristics. The result is then compared with the commercial package (vacuum Nylon/PE packaging). All material were characterized for their barrier properties and the change of film properties during storage. The package used in the experiment was a 3 side seal pouch (100 x 180 mm). The packaging material and the rice being packed were tested monthly during the 4 month storage. It was found that biodegradable film has reduced tensile strength The packaging material did have some effect on headspace gas but not water activity and moisture content of rice. However, the effect was much less than the method of packing. Oxygen absorber was more effective in maintaining low oxygen concentration and therefore can be used in combination of biodegradable film. Therefore, there is a good potential of using biodegradable film as a packaging material for organic Hom Mali brown rice but it needs to be combined with oxygen absorber.
Keywords
Biodegradable, Hom Mali, Organic rice, packaging
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