Development of active modified atmosphere packaging using antimicrobial volatile mixtures

加拿大是世界上最大的芥菜籽出口国，占世界产量的35%和全球出口量的50%。本研究的目的是扩大传统的使用芥菜籽延长食品的保质期，利用天然存在的抗微生物挥发性化合物在芥菜籽-异硫氰酸烯丙酯（AITC）。在这个项目中，将开发的方法来封装芥菜籽粉粉末在各种聚合物载体使用静电纺丝和挤出技术。所得的活性膜/膜结构在与水相互作用时将以受控速率释放AITC以抑制包装食品中微生物的生长。通过延长保质期和提高食品质量，设想的技术将有助于食品公司扩大市场，因为产品稳定性增加。从产品批准和消费者接受的角度来看，芥菜籽作为天然防腐剂的创新用途也对食品公司具有吸引力。设想的活性包装技术的成功开发将扩大芥菜籽的使用范围，使其不仅仅限于调味品和食品应用，从而提高作物价值，使加拿大的芥菜籽生产者受益。本项目将培养一名硕士和一名博士后。他们从这个项目中获得的研究经验，包括食品，材料和包装科学，将使他们能够满足不断变化的工业需求和消费者对食品的期望。

Canada is the world largest exporter of mustard seed, accounting for 35% of the world production and 50% of global exports. This research aims at expanding the conventional use of mustard seed for shelf-life extension of food products, by exploiting a naturally occurring antimicrobial volatile compound found in mustard seed - allyl isothiocyanate (AITC). In this project, methods will be developed to encapsulate mustard seed meal powder within various polymer carriers using electrospinning and extrusion techniques. The resulting active membrane/film structures, upon interacting with water, will release AITC at a controlled rate to inhibit the growth of microorganism in packaged food products. By extending the shelf-life and improving the quality of food, the envisaged technology will help food companies expand their market due to increased product stability. The innovative use of mustard seed as a natural preservative agent is also attractive to food companies from product approval and consumer acceptance standpoints. Successful development of the envisaged active packaging technology will expand the use of mustard seed beyond condiment and food applications, thereby increasing the crop value and benefiting mustard seed producers in Canada. This project will contribute to the training of one M.Sc. and one postdoc. Their research experience acquired from this project that encompasses both food, material, and packaging sciences will prepare them to address the changing industrial needs and consumer expectations related to food.