Project: PLAnt-based antiMIcrobial aNd circular PACKaging for plant products
| Acronym | PLAMINPACK |
| Duration | 01/06/2024 - 01/06/2027 |
| Project Topic | The objective of PLAMINPACK is the development of anti-microbial packaging materials suitable for producing, by conventional industrial methodologies like extrusion and spinning, nets, films and trays for perishable food based on biopolymers and molecules from plant origin. Three representative perishable Mediterranean fruits were selected for testing the different packaging: tangerine for net, dates and strawberry for film and tray. The anti-microbial and anti-oxidant molecules will be extracted from the three plants waste. Anti-microbial chitosan will be obtained by bioconversion of plants waste through biotechnology based on rearing Hermetia Illucens insects. This last process will provide also proteins that will be used for producing gas barrier coatings for the packaging. The packaging will be tested in terms of anti-microbial properties and shelf-life tests onto tangerine, strawberry and date. Plasma treatments (applied on fruits or packaging) and liquid treatments applied on fruits will be considered to improve the shelf-life avoiding the loss of food. With this aim two interesting potential tools will be developed: a database to connect plant waste with quality and amount of extracts; digital twin applied to fruit ripening and packaging, in view of developing a predictive machine learning instrument. Life Cycle Assessment will be carried out for the new packaging. The behaviour of the packaging in the end of life (organic and mechanical recycling), its stability and potential releases will be considered as well. A training program and a dissemination based on the involvement of stakeholders will diffuse the interdisciplinary and multicultural knowledge. Thus, PLAMINPACK project will develop not only an anti-microbial packaging but also a model for Mediterranean farmers and food companies based on full circularity to accelerate the much-needed transition towards a green economy, thus contributing to the European Green Deal. |
| Network | PRIMA |
| Call | Section 2 – Multi-topic 2023 |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 287 | University of Pisa | Coordinator | Italy |
| 288 | University of Basilicata | Partner | Italy |
| 289 | Next Technology | Partner | Italy |
| 290 | University A.Ibn Badis Mostaganem | Partner | Algeria |
| 291 | Albstadt-Sigmaringen University | Partner | Germany |
| 292 | Universität Hohenheim | Partner | Germany |
| 293 | AgroParisTech | Partner | France |
| 294 | University of Ioannina | Partner | Greece |
| 295 | Université Cadi Ayyad | Partner | Morocco |
| 296 | Université de Sfax | Partner | Tunisia |