Modified atmosphere packaging of fresh produce with a biodegradable laminate of chitosan-cellulose and polycaprolactone

Use of a biodegradable laminate of a chitosan-cellulose and polycaprolactone as a film for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of fresh produce was tested. The temperature dependence of O-2, CO2 and N-2 gas permeability coefficients for the biodegradable laminate was examined. The coefficients increased linearly with increasing temperature in the range 10-25 degrees C. The coefficients were validated by experiments on MAP with shredded lettuce and shredded cabbage. MAP systems with head lettuce, cut broccoli, whole broccoli, tomatoes, sweet corn and blueberries were designed using the gas permeability coefficients. The gas composition in each biodegradable package including the fresh produce was simulated to be close to the optimal composition. The biodegradable laminate was found suitable as a packaging material for storage of fresh produce. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.