Development of biodegradable active trays for food packaging.

• Grant number: 25/24978-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 23, 2026
• End date: March 22, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Carmen Sílvia Fávaro Trindade
• Grantee: Samuel Henrique Gomes de Sá
• Supervisor: Joaquin Gomez Estaca
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos y Nutrición (ICTAN), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/14001-8 - Development of biodegradable active tray based on starch and added with antimicrobial-loaded lignin nanoparticles, BP.DR

Abstract

In the food industry, packaging plays a key role in ensuring that the population has access to safe and nutritious foods. However, most food packaging is made from synthetic polymers derived from petroleum, the extraction, refining, production, and disposal of which cause considerable environmental damage. In most cases, they do not contribute to food preservation beyond their role as physical barriers. In this context, the development of biodegradable packaging has gained increasing prominence for producing clean disposal materials and sustainable production. Obtaining these materials with functionalities that add value is also of extreme interest. Given the above, the overall objective of this project is to develop biodegradable, starch-based trays with active properties owing to the incorporation of lignin nanoparticles loaded with nisin, a natural antimicrobial. To this end, lignin was extracted from the coconut waste biomass. After extraction, the obtained lignins were structurally organized to form nanoparticles, which were subsequently loaded with nisin. The lignin nanoparticles and nisin-loaded lignin nanoparticles will be incorporated into the formulations to obtain active biodegradable trays produced by the thermocompression process. The functionality of trays will be evaluated through their use as vehicles for meat products. Production, characterization, and shelf-life testing will be carried out in partnership with the Institute of Food Science and Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN - Madrid/Spain).