Approaches in Sustainable, Biobased Multilayer Packaging Solutions.

The depletion of fossil resources and the growing demand for plastic waste reduction has put industries and academic researchers under pressure to develop increasingly sustainable packaging solutions that are both functional and circularly designed. In this review, we provide an overview of the fundamentals and recent advances in biobased packaging materials, including new materials and techniques for their modification as well as their end-of-life scenarios. We also discuss the composition and modification of biobased films and multilayer structures, with particular attention to readily available drop-in solutions, as well as coating techniques. Moreover, we discuss end-of-life factors, including sorting systems, detection methods, composting options, and recycling and upcycling possibilities. Finally, regulatory aspects are pointed out for each application scenario and end-of-life option. Moreover, we discuss the human factor in terms of consumer perception and acceptance of upcycling.

Review on the photonic techniques suitable for automatic monitoring of the composition of multi-materials wastes in view of their posterior recycling.

In the increasingly pressing context of improving recycling, optical technologies present a broad potential to support the adequate sorting of plastics. Nevertheless, the commercially available solutions (for example, employing near-infrared spectroscopy) generally focus on identifying mono-materials of a few selected types which currently have a market-interest as secondary materials. Current progress in photonic sciences together with advanced data analysis, such as artificial intelligence, enable bridging practical challenges previously not feasible, for example in terms of classifying more complex materials. In the present paper, the different techniques are initially reviewed based on their main characteristics. Then, based on academic literature, their suitability for monitoring the composition of multi-materials, such as different types of multi-layered packaging and fibre-reinforced polymer composites as well as black plastics used in the motor vehicle industry, is discussed. Finally, some commercial systems with applications in those sectors are also presented. This review mainly focuses on the materials identification step (taking place after waste collection and before sorting and reprocessing) but in outlook, further insights on sorting are given as well as future prospects which can contribute to increasing the circularity of the plastic composites' value chains.

Determination and Quantification of the Distribution of CN-NL Nanoparticles Encapsulating Glycyrrhetic Acid on Novel Textile Surfaces with Hyperspectral Imaging.

Chitin Lignin nanoparticles (CN-NL), standalone and encapsulating glycyrrhetic acid (GA), were applied on novel substrates for textiles to obtain antibacterial, antioxidant properties. Their homogeneous application is an important parameter that can strongly influence the final performance of the investigated textiles for its cosmetic and medical use. In this paper, hyperspectral imaging techniques combined with chemometric tools were investigated to study the distribution and quantification of CN-NL/GA on chitosan and CN-NL on pullulan substrates. To do so, samples of chitosan and pullulan impregnated with CN-NL/GA and CN-NL were analysed through Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) and Visible-Near Infrared (VisNIR) hyperspectral cameras. Two different chemometric tools for qualitative and quantitative analysis have been applied, principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square regression (PLSR) models. Promising results were obtained in the VisNIR range, which made it possible for us to visualize the CN-NL/GA compound on chitosan and CN-NL on pullulan substrates. Additionally, the PLSR model results had determination coefficient ( R C 2 ) for calibration and cross-validation ( R C V 2 )   values of 0.983 and 0.857, respectively. Minimum values of root-mean-square error for calibration (RMSEC) and cross-validation (RMSECV) of CN-NL/GA were 0.333 and 0.993 g, respectively. The results demonstrate that hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics offers a powerful tool for studying the distribution on chitosan and pullulan substrates and to quantify the content of CN-NL/GA compounds on chitosan substrates.

Whey protein-based coatings on frozen Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): Influence of the plasticiser and the moment of coating on quality preservation.

The effects of different whey protein concentrate coating formulations (with or without glycerol or sorbitol in two proportions) on frozen Atlantic salmon quality parameters were evaluated. The influence of the moment of coating application (before or after freezing) was also studied. The coating application after freezing increased the thaw yield, decreased the drip loss, and modified colour parameters of frozen and thawed fillets, in comparison with application before freezing. The moment of coating also influenced the colour of cooked fish fillets. The type of plasticiser affects the colour of thawed and cooked samples, but not the colour of frozen samples. The protein coatings delayed lipid oxidation of salmon fillets, providing better protection against it than water glazing, and this effect was more pronounced when glycerol instead of sorbitol was used in the coating formulation. WPC+glycerol (1:1) coating was the best for frozen Atlantic salmon protection. The sensory properties of salmon fillets were not modified by the use of this coating.