Sheng-Yen Tsai, Pei-Yu Wei, Chao-Kai Chang, Yu-Chi Cheng, Shella Permatasari Santoso, Shi-Ying Huang, Kuan-Chen Cheng, Chang-Wei Hsieh
This study aims to develop an equilibrium-modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP) system by incorporating poly-gamma-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) as a sustainable coating material to enhance gas selectivity in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films. The objective is to achieve a controlled gas permeability that optimizes the packaging environment for extended food preservation. The γ-PGA coating treatment increases the tensile strength, gas barrier properties, and CO2/O2 selectivity of the composite film, which accelerates the gas composition change to a low-oxygen and high-carbon dioxide concentration environment for fresh-cut papaya (FCP). The prepared EMAP film coated with 5 % γ-PGA maintained a balanced gas content of 7.27 %–10.50 % CO2 and 13.03 %–7.80 % O2 for FCP over 12 days of storage, which reduced the respiration rate by 29.37 % of FCP. Quality was well maintained, with a 31.65 % reduction in weight loss and a 42.98 % reduction in firmness loss compared to the LDPE packaging. γ-PGA coating provides suitable gas transmission rate properties for fresh-cut papaya, extending the quality deterioration period by 6 days compared to pure LDPE. This research explores the potential of utilizing γ-PGA in EMAP, demonstrating its effectiveness as a sustainable coating material. The findings indicate that gas transmission and selectivity properties can be modulated by adjusting the coating concentration, offering flexibility for food preservation technologies. © 2025 The Authors
Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, South Dist., Taichung City, 40227, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Food Science Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan; Food Engineering Research and Service Center, Food Industry Research and Development Institute, Annan Dist., Tainan City, 70955, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, Widya Mandala Surabaya Catholic University, Surabaya, 60114, Indonesia; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Daan Dist., Taipei, 10607, Taiwan; College of Ocean Food and Biological Engineering, Jimei University, No.43, Yindou Rd., Fujian Province, Xiamen City, 361021, China; Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan; Department of Optometry, Asia University, Taichung City, 413305, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, 40447, Taiwan; Department of Food Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, No. 510, Zhongzheng Rd., New Taipei City, 242062, Taiwan; Department of Food Science, National Ilan University, Shennong Road, Yilan City, 26047, Taiwan