Processing and Development of Polysaccharide-Based Biopolymers for Packaging Applications

Book excerpt: Processing and Development of Polysaccharide-Based Biopolymers for Packaging Applications presents the latest cutting-edge research into the processing and utilization of bio-based polymers for packaging applications, covering materials derived from polysaccharides, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polybutylene and bio-polyethylene. The book also covers the principles of biopolymer plasticization, experimental and modeling techniques, the use of nanotechnology, and key advances relating to biopolymer-based packaging, including anti-microbials, anti-oxidative agents, and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). - Introduces the principles of biopolymer plasticization and summarizes experimental and modeling techniques - Covers a range of important bio-based polymer resources, explaining resources, availability, characterization methods, and extraction and refining techniques - Supports the processing and development of bio-based polymers with enhanced functionality for advanced packaging applications