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Volume 6, Issue 3, June Issue - 2018, Pages:582-591


Authors: Alexander Prosekov, Lyudmila Asyakina, Lyubov Dyshlyuk
Abstract: Present study was conducted with the aim of finding out the optimal composition of biodegradable packaging materials based on gelatin and natural polysaccharides, film samples. The film samples have been obtained with the purpose of choosing the optimum composition of biodegradable packaging materials based on gelatin and natural polysaccharides. Physico-chemical properties and safety performance of gelatin and natural polysaccharides (agar, carrageenan, hydroxypropylmethicellulose – HPMC) have been studied.  Films based on gelatin and natural polysaccharides have been obtained by drying solutions of the tested components at various temperatures. Result of study revealed the fact that physico-chemical parameters of the studied samples of agar-agar and hydroxypropymethylcellulose (HPMC) confirmed to the requirements of normative documents. In terms of chemical and microbiological safety, both studied samples of agar-agar and carageenan satisfy the applicable regulatory requirements of the international food standard, and may be used as raw material for obtaining biodegradable polymers. It has been proved that the studied samples of carageenan meet the requirements of applicable normative documentation in their physical and chemical properties. It has been shown that in terms of quality and safety, all tested samples satisfied the requirements of the applicable documentation.
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Full Text: 1 Introduction Packaging materials used in food industry are subject to rigid requirements and it should strongly comply the requirements of technical regulation TR TS 005/2011 "About safety of packaging" (Kisku & Swain, 2012; Schreiber et al. 2013). One of the mandatory conditions governing the use of packaging in food industry is the availability of a certificate of compliance issued by the Ministry of Health, which confirms packaging materials’ safety for humans (Pantyukhov, 2012a; Khan et al., 2014; Pantyukhov, 2012a). Currently, food industries and retailers who are widely using the packaging materials should not only ensure safety of the food products, but should also be economically viable and safe for human health and environment (Pantyukhov 2012b). Therefore, various sanitary-epidemiological and hygienic requirements are applied to packaging products (Lu et al., 2010). Among this, some most common are (i) the packaging should not change organoleptic and physico-chemical properties of food products (ii) the packaging should not emit harmful or toxic substances (Lu et al., 2010; Liu, 2010; Rhim, 2013; Liu, 2015; Razavi, 2016), (iii) the packaging should not contain substances that have cumulative, mutagenic, allergenic and carcinogenic properties, and other compounds that affect the state and health of a living organism (Rhim, 2013) and (iv) the packaging should not be the nutritional medium for pathogenic and other microflora, and should not let through microorganisms. This document established the requirements of the quality and composition of the material used for packaging, packaging surface, size and quality of side seams, strength and integrity of packaging (Liu, 2010, Kisku & Swain, 2012; Schreiber et al., 2013; Liu, 2015). This work is aimed to choose the optimum composition of biodegradable packaging materials based on gelatin and natural polysaccharides for obtaining films’ samples and studying their properties. 2 Materials and methods In present study gelatine and natural polysaccharides viz., agar-agar, carrageenan and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) has been used as packageing material. Based on the performance, physico-chemical properties and safety indicators: agar-agar (Helicon, USA), Kappa-carageenan (Boc Sciences, USA), hydroxypropymethylcellulose (Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, USA), and gelatin ("GelatinesWeishardt", France) have been selected. Gelatin is a colorless or yellowish partially hydrolyzed collagen protein with a transparent viscous mass, without taste and smell. It is a product of animals ‘connective tissues processing (denaturing).  Further, gelatin couldn’t dissolve in diluted acids and when it mixes with diluted acid it will swells. Swollen gelatin dissolves when heated and forming a solution which convert in jelly when solidifies (Rhim 2013). Agar-agar is another gelatinous material which obtained from sea algae. Like gelatin it is also insoluble in cold water and can completely dissolve when heated at 85-95°C. Molecules of Carageenan are large, highly flexible, and can form inter twisted structures. It can form various gels at room temperature. Hydroxypropy methyl cellulose is a stabilizer capable of maintaining and improving viscosity and consistency of food products (Rhim 2013). Aiming to comprehensively study, various properties of the initial components for obtaining biodegradable polymers, their physico-chemical properties and indicators of chemical and microbiological safety were studied. During the study normative technical documentation for certain kinds of natural polysaccharides and gelatin were taken into account: GOST 16280-2002 - Food agar - Specifications (Schreiber et al., 2013) Carageenan. CAS 11114-20-8 (Schreiber et al., 2013) Hydroxypropymethylcellulose - CAS 9004-65-3 (Schreiber et al., 2013) GOST 23058-89 - Gelatin as raw material for medical industry Specifications (Schreiber et al., 2013) Mixture of Gelatin and other natural polysaccharides were aged in an autoclave in blowing mode for 15 minutes and films based on these were obtained by drying solutions of the tested components at various temperatures. The film-forming solution was transferred into a cuvette with (1-2) mm sides, which was covered with a glass cover. Then the solution was cooled at room temperature and one millimeter thick films were obtained by pouring. Film of the gelatin and other natural polysaccharides were dried up in various ways, among this some common are (i) drying at room temperature (ii) drying by air convection in a fume cabinet (iii) dried in a vacuum drying cabinet (the temperature of drying varied) and (iv) drying in a drying cabinet (the temperature of drying varied). For obtaining transparent, flexible and uniform thickness films various combination of selected polysacharide have been tried. As per the used combinations, film number such as No. 3 (mix of 20% agar and 80% carrageenan), No. 11 (a mixture of 30% agar and 70% carrageenan), No. 20 (a mixture of 40% agar and 60% carrageenan), No. 14 (a mixture of 20% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and 80% gelatine), No. 16 (a mixture of 30% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and 70% gelatin), and No. 18 (a mixture of 40% hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and 60% gelatin)  has been assigned. The mixture of components was kept on the heating mantle, the temperature of the mixer was 150 °C, the rotation speed was 800 rpm; the resulting solution was poured on a substrate with sides 2 mm thick; drying was performed in a drying cabinet at 85 °C. 3 Results Date given in table 1 represented the physico-chemical properties of the selected and processed two agar-agar samples (sample A1 and A2). Classification of agar-agar was carried out on the basis of manufacturers. On the basis of physicochemical properties and technical basis, both the selected agar-agar samples fulfill the requirement of GOST 16280-2002 for packaging materials. Results are in agreement with the findings and suggestions of Schreiber et al. (2013). In physicochemical properties, agar-agar meets the criteria of GOST 16280-2002, in this study chemical and microbiological safety of agar-agar packaging material was also tested. Results of chemical and microbiological safety level of agar-agar have been represented in Table 2. Result of study revealed the presence of some heavy metals in agar-agar packaging material but contents of these heavy metals are not exceeding the maximum permissible concentration of GOST 16280-2002. During study presence of lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury was reported. Presence of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms was also reported during the study which is against the recommendation of GOST 16280-2002. Presence of coliforms, proteus group bacteria and pathogenic microorganisms was not reported from the agar-agar. Results of physico-chemical properties of two carrageenan samples (K1 and K2) obtained from various manufacturers have been presented in Table 3. The results were analyzed in accordance with the requirements of the CODEX Alimentarius international standard for food products, CAS 11114-20-8. Result of study suggested that physico-chemical parameters of two selected carrageenan samples from various manufacturers did not exceed the values specified by CAS 11114-20-8. In this manner, in physicochemical characteristics, carageenan can be used as a packaging material.  Further, the results of testing carageenan chemical and microbiological safety, including the contents of heavy metals and the microbiological parameters have been shown in Table 4. Data given in the table revealed that both the samples of carrageenan meet the safety requirements of CAS 11114-20-8 in physico-chemical and microbial properties. The contents of lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, coliforms, bacteria of group proteus, and pathogenic microorganisms did not exceed the maximum permissible concentration suggested by CsAS 11114-20-8. Results of studied physicochemical parameters of two HPMC samples (samples G1 and G2) obtained from various manufacturers are shown in Table 5. Results were analyzed according to the requirements of the CODEX Alimentarius international standard (CAS 9004-65-3) for food products. The data in Table 5 shown that physico-chemical parameters two samples of HPMC did not exceed the values specified for packaging  materials CAS 9004-65-3. In case of viscosity, strength of jelly and transparency both used HPMS sample show superiority over the recommendation of CAS 9004-65-3. Results of HPMC chemical and microbiological safety testing have been presented in table 6. Result of study revealed that both samples of HPMC meet the safety requirements of CAS 9004-65-3. The contents of lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, coliforms, bacteria of group proteus, and pathogenic microorganisms do not exceed the maximum permissible concentration. Among the tested two samples G1 (HPMC made by Acros, Belgium) have better properties as compared to sample G2 (HPMC made by Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, USA) but no significant difference was found among these two. The results of physico-chemical properties of gelatin (sample G1 and G2) have been given in Table 7. Both the used samples meet the criteria specified by GOST 23058-89 in their physico-chemical parameters. Like HPMC, gelatin also performed better than the criteria prescribed by GOST 23058-89 and show good viscosity, strength of jelly and transparency. Further, gelatin have higher melting point which support it use as packaging material. Chemical and microbiological safety of gelatin have been tested and reported that heavy metals, toxic elements, radionuclides, residual pesticides and microbiological parameters are in the range of GOST 23058-89 prescription (Table 8). The data in the table show that both samples of gelatin by their physico-chemical properties and safety indicators meet the requirements of GOST 23058-89. Further, contents of lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, mesophilic aerobic, facultative anaerobic microorganisms, coliforms, bacteria of group proteus, and pathogenic microorganisms are in the range of acceptance as it can use as packaging materials. Gelatine and natural polysaccharides were used in various concentration and total 21 combination were prepared which were assigned sample number 1-21 (table 9). All the predescribed  packaging material combination were mixed in required amount of distilled water and heat upto dissolution. After dissolution, the mixture of components was kept on the heating mantle, the temperature of the mixer was 150 °C, the rotation speed was 800 rpm; the resulting solution was poured on a substrate with sides 2 mm thick; drying was performed in a drying cabinet at 85 °C (Table 9). Result of drying gelatin-based solutions and natural polysaccharides  film formulation have been presented in table 10. As per the used combinations, only six samples of gelatin-based films and natural polysaccharides (3, 11, 14, 16, 18 and 20) can formed transparent and elastic flim with uniform thickness. Above said combination used for further study while rest of the combination were discard from the further study (Figure 1, Table 10). The results of determining structural and mechanical properties along with strength and gas permeability of the obtained samples (3, 11, 14, 16, 18 &20) have been given in Table 11. 4 Discussion Packaging is an important element for preserving food quality. According to the normative documentation, a developer of new products should take care of consumer properties and safety, their hygienic standards, requirements for ensuring compliance with specified regulations in the process of production, storage, transportation and sales. In addition, packaging material that contacts food products should have certain adaptability to manufacturing and use, as well as fuel efficiency, reliability, strength, attractiveness and, most importantly, be comfortable for the consumer. To choose the optimal composition of biodegradable polymers, the following samples of gelatin and natural polysaccharides were chosen based on the studies for determining their physico-chemical properties and safety: agar (Helicon, USA), Kappa-carrageenan (Boc Sciences, USA), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, USA), gelatin ("Gelatines Weishardt", France). By the indicators of chemical and microbiological safety, all studied samples of gelatin comply with the current hygienic standards. Result of present study are in agreement with the finding and suggestion of Lu et al. (2010); Liu (2010); Rhim (2012); Liu (2015) and Razavi (2016). In this regard, for further development of the technology of obtaining biodegradable polymers, it is advisable to use any presented samples of natural polysaccharides and gelatin as the components. Conclusion Physico-chemical properties and safety indicators of gelatin and natural polysaccharides (agar, carageenan, hydroxypropymethylcellulose – HPMC) have been studied. It has been shown that in terms of quality and safety, all tested samples satisfy the requirements of the applicable documentation. With the aim of finding the optimal composition of biodegradable packaging materials based on gelatin and natural polysaccharides, film samples have been obtained. Conflict of Interest Authors would hereby like to declare that there is no conflict of interests that could possibly arise
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