The Application of Polylactic Acid in Food Packaging and Its Throughput Properties Improvement

Now-a-days all the researches have focused on the concept of packaging properties improvement for products. In this study some of these investigations are reviewed with the scope of food packaging by polylactic acid (PLA). The main application of polylactic acid packaging is limited to the raw food materials and their shelf life is about three to five, even in the refridge. Wider applications of polylactic acid (PLA) for other food products depend on the possibility of its throughput properties improvement, and especially reduction in gas and water vapor permeability. Regarding to these aspects, three approaches of polymer, coated polymer and polymer blend implementation suitable for throughput properties improvement are illustrated. Improvement of throughput properties in food packaging have a great importance as it is crucial to inhibit the entrance of unwanted vapors and gases into the packaging and the escape of needed components from the packaging. In the three aforementioned methods, Poly lactic acid (PLA) is used as a base material and its throughput properties are improved by implementation of different coatings or suitable polymer blend. The throughput properties of Poly lactic acid (PLA) are not effective against oxygen and water vapor permeation which are critical parameters for food products durability. Hence different methods are suggested to enhance the throughput properties of Poly lacticacid (PLA):Using hybrid organic/inorganic nanostructures as a coating for Poly lactic acid (PLA)
Method of blend of Poly lactic acid/Poly propylene (PLA/PP) film with different ratios
Using Poly lactic acid (PLA)/silicate nano-composites