Novel biopolymer systems containing antimicrobial and antioxidant extracts: the Novapack project

Packaging films based on biopolymers have received increasing interest from main brands, as they provide circular solutions as alternatives to traditional polymers. In particular, one of the main focuses regards the design of polymer-based packaging films displaying antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, possibly exhibiting biodegradability. In this context, the NOVAPACK project aims to demonstrate the suitability of the polyphenols, organic acids, and peptides recovered from selected lactic acid-fermented agricultural wastes and bio-products (namely, tomato peels and seeds, melons, and legumes) as efficient antimicrobial and antioxidant additives for the design of novel disposable packaging for food and biomedical purposes. These extracts will be melt compounded or layer-by-layer coated on selected biopolymer substrates.