Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Contamination ControlMicrobiological

Water-Resistant, Antimicrobial Edible Wrap for Food Preservation

September 19, 2017

For decades, researchers have been developing edible films for food packaging and preservation. But the material dissolves when exposed to water, and that’s a problem for packaged food with high water content and wet surfaces.

Now, food scientists at Oregon State University have combined two naturally occurring fibers to develop a water-resistant and antimicrobial edible film that has the potential to extend the shelf life of food with wet surfaces, such as meat, cheese and cut fruit and vegetables.

The film is similar in texture and appearance to plastic wrap but it is edible and made out of a combination of two naturally occurring substances. One is chitosan, a fiber derived from crustacean shells, and the other is cellulose nanofiber, a tiny material originally extracted from wood pulp.

“We put two unique materials together to enhance the functionality of food packaging and solve very challenging problems facing the food industry,” said Yanyun Zhao, a professor of food science at Oregon State University who led the film’s development.

Chitosan, a key ingredient in crab shells and shrimp shells, acts as an antimicrobial and an antioxidant. In tests with fresh beef patties in her lab, Zhao and her team combined the strengths of both fibers. Wrapped around the patties, the film inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Listeria, and it prevented the surface moisture transfer between the layered patties.

“We improved water resistance, antimicrobial functionality and mechanical properties, so the film has broad applications as stand-alone films for packaging food with high water content or as coatings for food with wet surfaces,” Zhao said.

The film could replace non-biodegradable waxed papers or other synthetic polymers that are currently used in meat packaging, Zhao said.

Further study is needed to validate its application in other food products, she said. While cellulose nanofiber and chitosan are prepared from natural sources, for food usage and human consumption they need approval to obtain a “Generally Recognized as Safe” label from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Zhao has a long track record for developing edible films and coatings that prolong the shelf life of foods.

In 2004, she and her colleague patented a chitosan-lysozyme composite film/coating technology for food applications. In 2009, she developed a coating for fish fillets that incorporates chitosan and fish oil. In 2013, she used pomace, the typically discarded pulp from crushed wine grapes, to make colorful, edible coatings and films that can be stretched over fruits, vegetables and other food products. They contain antioxidants and control the growth of some bacteria.

Chris Branam is a public issues communication specialist at Oregon State University.

 


Author(s): Chris Branam

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Microbiological
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Food Prep/Handling
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    International
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • mold
    Sponsored byIFC

    Tackling Mold Remediation in Food Processing Plants

  • a worker in a food processing plant
    Sponsored byLPS® DETEX®

    How a Beverage Facility Improved Food Safety and Compliance with Detectable Packaging Solutions

  • Two men standing in a produce storage facility having a discussion.
    Sponsored byOrkin Commercial

    Staying Compliant With FSMA

Popular Stories

smoked salmon in oil

Study Shows Food Type Significantly Affects Listeria’s Ability to Survive Digestion, Cause Sickness

FSM podcast

Ep. 197. Jatin Patel: Lessons Learned and Best Practices for Handling a Recall

close-up shot of nickel metal

New EU Maximum Levels for Nickel Now Apply to Dozens of Foods

Events

July 15, 2025

Hygienic Design Risk Management: Industry Challenges and Global Insights

Live: July 15, 2025 at 11:00 am EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn the importance of hygienic design to ensure food safety and sanitation effectiveness.

July 22, 2025

Beyond the Binder: Digital Management of Food Safety

Live: July 22, 2025 at 3:00 pm EDT: During this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for the use of digital food safety management systems across industry and regulatory agencies.

August 7, 2025

Achieve Active Managerial Control of Major Risk Factors Using a Food Safety Management System

Live: August 7, 2025 at 2:00 pm EDT: From this webinar, attendees will learn about changes to the FDA Food Code, which now includes a requirement for FSMS. 

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • Cattle in field

    Study: Food Animals Contain More Antimicrobial-Resistant Salmonella Than Previously Thought

    See More
  • bacteriophage graphic

    Antimicrobial Phage Spray Effective Against Foodborne Bacteria, Including Multidrug Resistant E. Coli

    See More
  • FDA and EPA Announce New Testing Protocol for Preharvest Ag Water Antimicrobial Treatment

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • 1119053595.jpg

    Food Safety for the 21st Century: Managing HACCP and Food Safety throughout the Global Supply Chain, 2E

  • 1118396308.jpg

    High Throughput Analysis for Food Safety

  • 1119160553.jpg

    Food Safety: Innovative Analytical Tools for Safety Assessment

See More Products

Related Directories

  • U.S. Packaging & Wrapping LLC.

    Focused on customer packaging solutions, U.S. Packaging & Wrapping can assist with product preservation and protection. Sales staff can assist with modified atmosphere packaging, shrink wrapping, and safely securing pallet loads. Call to speak with a representative today.
  • TuffWrap Installations Inc.

    TuffWrap Installations is North America's leading provider of innovative dust and debris containment solutions during re-roofing, renovation, and reconstruction projects. Our SmartSeam® Suspended Cover, Temporary Walls, and Exterior Protection services keep food and beverage manufacturing operations and production lines safe and productive . Tuff on Dust, Debris & Weather. Protecting People, Products & Property.
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing