• Food Science and Industry
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.12-26
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• 2017

Processing steps such as washing and cutting, involved in preparing fresh-cut produce causes tissue damage, leading to rapid quality deterioration. Major defects of fresh-cut produce are discoloration, softening, off-odor development, and microbial growth. Packaging of fresh-cut produce has been changed to reduce these quality problems. Flexible packaging film is widely used to pack fresh-cut produce. Vacuum packaging was the popular packaging method in the beginning of fresh-cut industry in Korea. Vacuum packaging creates high $CO_2$ and low $O_2$ levels to control browning of fresh-cut produce. However, these conditions induce some visual defects and off-odor development. Discoloration problem was also found when fresh-cut produce was packaged with conventional packaging film or plastic tray. Modified atmosphere (MA) packaging is effective for prolonging shelf-life of fresh-cut produce by decreasing $O_2$ and increasing $CO_2$ concentration in the package. Retail MA packaging using different oxygen transmission rate (OTR) film and micro-perforated film has started to be applied to fresh-cut produce in Korea. Proper MA package design that provides optimum range of $O_2$ and $CO_2$ partial pressures is one of the major challenges in the industry. An initial package flushing with $N_2$ or an low $O_2$/high $CO_2$ atmosphere is also used to more rapidly establish steady-state MA condition. Film OTR and $O_2$ flushing affects the fermentative volatile production, off-odor development, electrolyte leakage, discoloration, $CO_2$ injury, microbial population of fresh-cut produce. There is also a demand for convenient packaging to attract consumers. Rigid fresh-cut produce container for retail market has increased since the packaging provides excellent protection from physical damage during transport. Rigid tray used as actual serving vessel for the consumer is increasing in Korea. The tray with flexible lid to wrap or seal fresh-cut produce is more and more gaining popularity. Further practical technology to control quality change and microbial growth for each fresh-cut product has been studied since various fresh-cut items were required. The fresh-cut industry also focuses on searching for more convenient and environmentally friendly packaging.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.739-742
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• 2014

This study investigated the effect of perforation by the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) larvae on various flexible food-packaging films, in relation to their thickness and type. Among the various flexible packaging films, polyethylene (PE), aluminum foil (AF), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were selected for this study due to their wide usage in food packaging. Based on their thickness, film penetration by P. interpunctella larvae was measured as in following order: PP, $20{\mu}m$; AF, $9{\mu}m$; PET, $12{\mu}m$; PP, $30{\mu}m$; PS, $30{\mu}m$; PE, $40{\mu}m$; PE, $35{\mu}m$; PS, $60{\mu}m$; and PET, $16{\mu}m$. P. interpunctella larvae rapidly penetrated through the packaging films regardless of their thickness and type. In particular, it was observed that PP of $20{\mu}m$ and PS of $30{\mu}m$ were completely penetrated by P. interpunctella larvae within 72 h, rendering thin PP and PS films less valuable as anti-insect packaging films. Our results show that the perforations by P. interpunctella larvae were observed in the thin films. These results imply that each packaging film has a marginal thickness against the perforations by P. interpunctella larvae.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2018

In this study, pro-oxidant($d2w^{(R)}$) and rPP/ZnO nanocomposite flexible films for food packaging were prepared, and their mechanical and antimicrobial properties were investigated. As a result, the carbonyl index and hydroxyl index increased with exposured time to heat and UV rays. Surface analysis showed that the addition of zinc oxide improved the dispersibility and compatibility of the polymer, so that the surface of the composite film was smooth and the zinc oxide particles were smaller than the compared film. And it kept the physical properties by heat and UV ray blocking effect, and it worked to reduce decomposition. In the antimicrobial activity test, the microbial reduction rate was 3 logs or more at the use concentration of zinc oxide. The tensile strength was increased and the elongation was decreased. Oxidative degradability of multi-layered film in UV exposured for 72 hours, the molecular weight of the film decreased by 75.6%, 1,294 g/mol Mn and 5,920 g/mol Mw. In the safety analysis of food packaging materials, we obtained that are in standard of polypropylene, a food contact material of domestic law.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.103-106
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• 2016

This survey was performed by Kasetsart University Department of Packaging and Materials Technology on Food Packaging Industry in Thailand, was to conduct on the status and trends of food packaging industry to obtain the information on the plastic of packaging materials in food packaging in Thailand. The survey conducted by field visits, questionnaires, interviews and personal communication as well as published data from different sources. The ration of plastic consumption among the industries, packaging is showed 49%, textile 15% and construction 11% respectively. Numbers of company among packaging industry, film processing company is 503, injection molding is 231, blow molding is 216. Production volume of PP, HDPE, LLDPE and LDPE is 1,950 mil. ton, 1,920 mil. ton, 1,150 mil. ton and 685 mil. ton, respectively. Import of plastic 16,668 mil. baht and export is 33,778 mil. baht. Plastic consumption is plastic bottle and flexible pouch, mainly being used in beverage industry. The past decade as it has been replaced by flexible pouches and aseptic cartons in Thailand.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.125-131
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• 2020

Carrageenan-based functional films were prepared by adding two different types of sulfur nanoparticles (SNP) synthesized from sodium thiosulfate (SNPSTS) and elemental sulfur (SNPES). The films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Also, film properties such as UV-visible light transmittance, water contact angle (WCA), water vapor permeability (WVP), mechanical properties, and antibacterial activity were evaluated. SNPs were uniformly dispersed in the carrageenan matrix to form flexible films. The addition of SNP significantly increased the film properties such as water vapor barrier and surface hydrophobicity but did not affect the mechanical properties. The carrageenan/SNP composite film showed some antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogenic bacteria, L. monocytogenes and E. coli.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2023

The study aimed to enhance the properties of polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable and biocompatible substitute for fossil-based plastics. Since the applicability of PLA has been limited because of its toughness and brittleness, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and propolis were introduced into PLA. As a result, the PLA film with MFC/propolis showed significant improvements in mechanical strength, elongation, and storage modulus, while also experiencing a decrease in the glass transition temperature. Additionally, the presence of polyphenols in propolis led to a reduction in light transmittance in the UV wavelength range. These enhancements are attributed to MFC tightly bonding with PLA polymers, and propolis acting as a plasticizer and mediator between MFC and PLA, preventing agglomeration. These reinforced PLA films have the potential to be used in flexible packaging for light-sensitive products.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.89-95
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• 2016

An environmentally friendly water-based pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) was designed in an attempt to replace the solvent-based adhesive for dry lamination used in flexible food packaging films. Instead of using a low molecular weight surfactant, which may have variable material properties, a high molecular weight dispersant was used for emulsification. A polymeric nano-dispersant (PND) was synthesized using solution polymerization, and it was used as a micelle seed in the surfactant, resulting in the synthesis of a core/shell grafted acrylic adhesive. The shell and core exhibited different $T_g$ values, so that the initial adhesion strength and holding power were complemented by the film's flexibility, which is required to provide good adhesion of thin films. Results showed that the PSA designed in this study using the PND instead of traditional low molecular weight surfactant had adhesive properties applicable to the flexible packaging with appropriate tack.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.429-437
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• 1999

A mathematical model was established for estimating changes in pressure and volume of permeable kimchi packages. The model comprises the CO2 gas production from kimchi and permeation of O2, CO2 and N2 through the permeable film or sheet. Using the developed model, the effects of various packaging variables on the pressure and volume changes were analyzed for rigid and flexible packag es of kimchi(3% salt content) at 15oC, and then effect of storage temperature was also looked into. In case of rigid pack of 400g, using the plastic sheet of high CO2 permeability and initial vacuumizing can help to relieve the problem of pressure build up. The lower fill weight can further reduce the pressure, but will result in higher packaging cost. For the flexible package of 3 kg, highly permeable films such as low density polyethylene(LDPE) and polypropylene can reduce the volume expansion. Higher ratio of CO2 permeability to O2 and N2 permeabilities are effective in reducing the volume expansion. Increased surface area cannot contribute to reduction of volume expansion for highly permeable flexible packages of kimchi. For the impermeable packages, pressure and volume at over ripening stage (acidity 1.0%) increase with decreased temperature, while those at optimum ripening stage(acidity 0.6%) change little with temperature. Pressure of permeable rigid LDPE package increases with tem perature at any ripening stage, and temperature affects the volume of flexible LDPE package very slightly. Experimental verification of the present results and package design with economical consid eration are needed as a next step for practical application.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.281-285
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• 1999

Physical and chemical changes of black rice cake were investigated to determine its packaging material during storage. Black rice cake was packaged with polyethylene(PE) or polypropylene(PP) film and stored in RH 65% at 20$^{\circ}C$ for 5 months. There were no differences between PP and PE films for color, hardness and rancidity during storage, while weight change and water activity were slightly different between two films. Weight and water activity of black rice cakes packaged with PE or PP were increased during storage. Weight change and water activity of PE were slightly higher than those of PP. In conclusion, quality changes of black rice cake packaged with flexible packaging materials were little different between PP and PE during storage.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.13-16
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• 2018

Powdered infant formula is susceptible to oxidation in the presence of oxygen. Even though the product is usually packaged in nitrogen atmosphere, the oxygen ingress through the package layer may occur in case of flexible pouches and affects the oxidation of the product. $O_2$ barrier of the package is thus important variable to protect the product from oxidative deterioration. $O_2$ barrier property was investigated for aluminum-laminated small pillow packs of $3.5{\times}17.5cm$. Storage temperature and combination of primary and secondary packages were evaluated as variables affecting the barrier for conditions of empty pouch flushed with nitrogen. Apparent oxygen transmission rate of the primary package exposed to air was $2.32{\times}10^{-3}mL\;(STP)\;atm^{-1}\;d^{-1}$ at $30^{\circ}C$ and its temperature dependence could be explained by activation energy of $28.5kJ\;mol^{-1}$ in Arrhenius relationship. The additional secondary package of nylon/PE film containing 20 primary packages was ineffective in modulating package $O_2$ transmission and was only marginally helpful when combined with oxygen scavenger. The same was true in suppressing the product oxidation when the primary package was filled with 14 g of the formula.