Patent Title: Food Packaging Material with Antibacterial, Ethylene Scavenging, and Barrier Properties
IP Status: Granted US patent; protection in Türkiye and the United States
Technology Area: Active Food Packaging / Nanomaterials / Polymeric Films / Food Preservation Technologies
TRL: 5
An active packaging technology integrating halloysite nanotubes into polymeric films to combine antibacterial activity, ethylene scavenging and enhanced gas-barrier performance within a single material platform, helping slow food deterioration and extend the shelf life of fresh products.
Technology Overview
This technology provides a multifunctional active packaging platform based on the incorporation of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) into polymeric packaging films. Halloysite is a naturally occurring clay mineral with a hollow nanotubular structure. Within the packaging material, the nanotubes can function simultaneously as nanocarriers for active substances, scavengers for selected gases and functional fillers that improve barrier performance.
One of the key features of the technology is the ability to load halloysite nanotubes with natural antibacterial substances such as thyme oil and their active components. The tubular structure can retain these active agents and support their controlled release within the packaging environment. This transforms the packaging from a passive physical barrier into an active material capable of contributing to the suppression of microbial deterioration.
Empty halloysite nanotubes also provide ethylene-scavenging functionality. Ethylene is naturally released by many fruits and vegetables and accelerates ripening and subsequent deterioration. Reducing ethylene levels within the packaging environment can therefore contribute to extending the storage life of fresh produce.
The dispersed nanotubes additionally act as functional nanofillers that increase the pathway that gas molecules must travel through the polymer film. This helps reduce gas permeation and enhance the barrier performance of the packaging. Combining antibacterial activity, ethylene scavenging and barrier enhancement within the same material system is one of the technology's main differentiating features.
The technology can be adapted to common packaging polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Halloysite nanotubes can be incorporated into the polymer through conventional mixing processes or applied to polymer films through coating approaches, providing flexibility for integration into different packaging manufacturing routes.
Problem / Market Need
The shelf life of fresh and processed foods is influenced not only by exposure to atmospheric gases and moisture but also by microbial activity and the food product's own metabolic processes. In fruits and vegetables, ethylene accelerates ripening, while microbial growth can reduce product quality and safety.
Conventional packaging primarily functions as a passive protective barrier, while providing multiple preservation functions can require additional materials, multilayer structures or separate active components. This technology combines antibacterial activity, ethylene scavenging and gas-barrier enhancement within a single polymeric packaging platform.
Key Advantages
- Combines antibacterial, ethylene-scavenging and barrier functions within a single packaging material
- Active removal of ethylene associated with accelerated ripening of fruits and vegetables
- Halloysite nanotubes can carry natural antibacterial agents such as thyme oil
- Nanotubular structure supports controlled release of active antibacterial components
- Enhanced gas-barrier performance through the nanofiller effect of halloysite nanotubes
- Compatible with common packaging polymers including polyethylene and polypropylene
- Adaptable to both polymer-mixing and film-coating manufacturing approaches
- Potential to contribute to reduced food deterioration and longer product shelf life
Applications
- Fresh fruit and vegetable packaging
- Active and functional food packaging
- Antibacterial packaging films
- Ethylene-scavenging packaging systems
- Shelf-life extension solutions
- Polymeric films with enhanced gas-barrier properties
- Ethylene-control solutions for storage and transportation of cut flowers
- Non-food polymer films requiring odour control and antibacterial functionality
Relevant Industries
- Food Packaging
- Packaging and Polymer Industry
- Food Technologies
- Agriculture and Post-Harvest Technologies
- Nanomaterials
- Active and Intelligent Packaging
- Floriculture and Cold-Chain Applications
Technology Readiness Level & Validation
Technology Readiness Level: TRL 5
A laboratory-scale prototype has been developed and validation activities have been completed. Studies have evaluated the ethylene-scavenging, antibacterial and barrier functions introduced through halloysite nanotubes in polymeric packaging structures. Active packaging functionality has also been demonstrated through the incorporation of natural antibacterial agents into the nanotubes, and the technology is currently at the industrial validation stage.
The technology was developed as an output of a TÜBİTAK 1003 project and subsequently became the subject of academic research and publications.
Intellectual Property
US Patent: US9332751B2
Patent Title: Food Packaging Material with Antibacterial, Ethylene Scavenging and Barrier Properties
Priority Date: 9 July 2014
US Filing Date: 9 July 2015
Grant / Publication Date: 10 May 2016
Applicant / Assignee: Sabancı University
Protection: Türkiye, United States
Commercialisation Status
The technology is currently at the industrial validation stage and is available for licensing.
Collaboration Opportunities
- Licensing
- Scientific consultancy
- Joint R&D and co-development
- Industrial validation and pilot testing
Potential partners may include food-packaging manufacturers, flexible-packaging and polymer-film producers, fresh-produce supply-chain companies, active-packaging technology developers and food manufacturers seeking solutions for extended product shelf life.
Although the technology has primarily been developed for food packaging, its ethylene-scavenging and controlled-release antibacterial functions may also be adapted to other applications. Potential examples include storage of cut flowers and specialised polymer films where odour management and microbial control are important.
Inventors
Inventors: Hayriye Unal, Serkan Unal, Yusuf Ziya Menceloglu, Fevzi Cakmak Cebeci
Contact
For licensing, industrial validation, joint R&D or other collaboration opportunities related to this technology, please contact Sabancı University Technology Transfer Office (SUATT) at dpe.suatt@sabanciuniv.edu.
