SBIR Phase I: Functional nano-adsorbent embedded packaging film for control and delivery of ethylene and other volatiles to extend fruit quality in bananas

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力将是更好地保存易腐食品。 拟议中的易腐食品新型功能化包装膜采用了创新技术，以消除有害微生物，锁定刚刚收获的香气和味道，延长从田间到餐桌的保质期，并减少食物浪费。这些好处将累积到农民和田间工人，到托运人和卡车司机，到意识到减少生产浪费的零售商，以及消费者。该技术将一种新型的纳米吸附剂金属有机框架（MOF）分子“海绵”纳入多层包装膜中，可以提供微生物保护，减缓运输过程中的成熟过程，并为我们的水果和蔬菜提供刚刚收获的质量。MOFs是一种新的材料技术，可能会改变包装从？只有塑料袋吗到真正的活性包装。该第一阶段研究项目的技术目标是确定挤出多层膜的技术可行性，该多层膜具有在线性低密度聚乙烯（LLDPE）膜内的层中并入的纳米吸附性金属有机框架（MOF）材料。该功能化膜结构将通过嵌入的MOF结构选择性地可渗透，以允许气体交换，包括乙烯、O2、CO2、其它生物活性气体和某些抗微生物化合物如二氧化氯。控制水果和蔬菜呼吸（O2/CO2平衡），控制内源性和外源性乙烯，以及通过MOFs输送抗菌气体可能是最近最重要的技术突破，使遥远市场的生产商能够提供新鲜农产品。该研究项目将寻求确定具有适当的气体交换性能，吹塑薄膜挤出过程中的热稳定性和薄膜结构内的适当取向的MOFs。需要进行合作研究，以选择可能的MOF候选者，将这些MOF纳入中试规模设备上挤出的薄膜中，并在大学的采后实验室中表征有效性，以实现快速技术开发，公正评估和有效减少实践。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will be better preservation of perishable food produce. The proposed new functionalized packaging film for perishable foods, incorporates innovative technologies to eliminate harmful microbes, lock in just-harvested aroma and taste, extend shelf-life from field to the kitchen table, and reduce food waste. These benefits will accrue to farmers and field workers, to shippers and truckers, to retailers who realize less produce waste, and o consumers. The proposed technology incorporates a novel nano-adsorbent metal organic framework (MOF) a molecular 'sponge' into a multi-layer packaging film which can deliver microbial protection, slow down the ripening process during shipment and deliver just-harvested quality in our fruits and vegetables. MOFs are a novel material technology which potentially could transform packaging from ?just plastic bags? to true active packaging. The technical objectives in this Phase I research project are to determine the technical feasibility to extrude a multi-layer film with the nano-adsorbent metal organic framework (MOF) material incorporated in a layer within linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) film. This functionalized film structure will be selectively permeable via the embedded MOF structures to allow the exchange of gases, including ethylene, O2, CO2, other biologically active gases and certain antimicrobial compounds such as chlorine dioxide. Control of fruit and vegetable respiration (O2/CO2 balance), control endogenous and exogenous ethylene, and the delivery antimicrobial gases via MOFs could be the single most important recent technology breakthrough that allows producers in distant markets to delivery fresh produce. This research project will seek to identify MOFs with the appropriate gas exchange properties, heat stability in the blown film extrusion process and proper orientation within the film structure. Collaborative research is needed to select likely MOF candidates, to incorporate these MOFs in films extruded on pilot scale equipment, and to characterize effectiveness at a university-based postharvest laboratory to enable rapid technology development, impartial assessments, and effective reduction to practice.