Biodegradable fibrous casing based on cellulose and chitosan
PurposeThe casing is suitable for all types of sausage and cheese-making products, seafood and products of specialized assortment (products with topping or white mold)
Characteristics
Biodegradable fibrous casing is a brand new packaging material:
- Based on natural renewable raw material such as cellulose and chitosan;
- Environmentally friendly, non-toxic and biodegradable;
- Effectively protects products from microbial lesions and exposure to oxygen, prevents moisture evaporation during storage;
- Gives the product a pleasant taste and odour.
The existing and currently applied technology of fibrous casing production involves applying of a thin layer of regenerated cellulose on a paper base by impregnation. The cellulose solution is prepared in accordance with either the viscose process or Lyocell process. The main disadvantage of both of them is their environmental insecurity due to the use of such toxic materials as carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide in the viscose process and methylmorpholine-N-oxide in the Lyocell process. In addition, the viscose process is characterized by a large amount of wastewater, while Lyocell process is expensive. To prevent penetration of microorganisms into the products (sausages, cheeses, etc.), an additional protective antibacterial layer is applied, which complicates the process and increases wastewater volume.
The technology offered by the Research Institute of Physical and Chemical Problems of the BSU is based on the use of the cellulose solution in aqueous phosphoric acid, an environmentally-friendly solvent, which reduces the amount of waste water 10-100 times. Introduction of chitosan (chitin polymer) into the cellulose solution provides fibrous casing with antibacterial properties, which leads to shelf life increase and microbiological safety of the product.
Application
Food Industry
Commercial offer
- Sale of technology
- Organization of joint production
