Fabrication of novel sodium alginate-based biofoam and evaluation of its packaging cushion performance on banana fruit

IF 3.2 2区农林科学 Q2 FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Journal of Food Science Pub Date : 2025-03-20 DOI:10.1111/1750-3841.70140

Pontree Itkor, Ajit Kumar Singh, Athip Boonsiriwit, Myungho Lee, Ubonrat Siripatrawan, Youn Suk Lee

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Abstract

Mechanical damage during handling and transportation significantly compromises the quality of fresh fruit, highlighting the urgent need for effective cushioning packaging. However, most available cushioning materials are nonbiodegradable, raising environmental concerns. This study aimed to address these issues by developing a novel and eco-friendly cushioning sodium alginate (SA)-based foam, fabricated through a straightforward process combining mechanical foaming and oven drying, with glycerol serving as a plasticizer. The chemical, morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties of the obtained SA-based cushioning foams (SACs) were thoroughly evaluated. The results demonstrated that the SACs exhibited a soft, flexible structure with low densities (12.83–108.39 mg/cm³) and high porosities (90.43%–97.12%), comparable to commercial synthetic foams. Notably, the incorporation of glycerol substantially enhanced the compressive strength and modulus, with the SAC-7.5 achieving improvements of 1280.43% and 1262.12%, respectively, compared to the control. The packaging cushion performance was assessed via drop tests on bananas, where SAC-7.5 provided effective impact protection and maintained key quality attributes of the bananas, including color parameters, weight loss, firmness, and physiological indicators (respiration rate, total soluble solids [TSS], and pH), over 2 days of storage at room temperature. Given its sustainable, nontoxic, and cost-effective production, the developed SAC offers a promising alternative for cushioning packaging in the transportation of fresh fruit.

Practical Application

This study presents an eco-friendly cushioning foam made from sodium alginate (SA), produced through a simple process involving mechanical foaming and oven drying. The resulting foam has comparable cushioning properties to commercial cushioning plastic, offering a possibility for industrial-scale applications as alternative cushioning packaging for fresh fruit transportation.

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来源期刊

Journal of Food Science 工程技术-食品科技

CiteScore

7.10

自引率

2.60%

发文量

412

审稿时长

3.1 months

期刊介绍： The goal of the Journal of Food Science is to offer scientists, researchers, and other food professionals the opportunity to share knowledge of scientific advancements in the myriad disciplines affecting their work, through a respected peer-reviewed publication. The Journal of Food Science serves as an international forum for vital research and developments in food science. The range of topics covered in the journal include: -Concise Reviews and Hypotheses in Food Science -New Horizons in Food Research -Integrated Food Science -Food Chemistry -Food Engineering, Materials Science, and Nanotechnology -Food Microbiology and Safety -Sensory and Consumer Sciences -Health, Nutrition, and Food -Toxicology and Chemical Food Safety The Journal of Food Science publishes peer-reviewed articles that cover all aspects of food science, including safety and nutrition. Reviews should be 15 to 50 typewritten pages (including tables, figures, and references), should provide in-depth coverage of a narrowly defined topic, and should embody careful evaluation (weaknesses, strengths, explanation of discrepancies in results among similar studies) of all pertinent studies, so that insightful interpretations and conclusions can be presented. Hypothesis papers are especially appropriate in pioneering areas of research or important areas that are afflicted by scientific controversy.