New antibacterial fruit and veg film targets E. Coli
Spanish polypropylene film company Derprosa has launched a new antibacterial film designed to combat E. coli in the packaging of fresh fruit, salads and vegetables.
A spokesperson for the company told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “The benefit it is to make sure that all the bacteria will disappear almost entirely and it improves the optical appearance of the food, as you do not get wet drops in the surface.
“The combination of the antifog and antibacterial properties is a novelty in the market with a high added value.”
In independent IMSL Laboratory tests, researchers noted that 99.9% of bacteria on the packed product in contact with the film were eliminated.
Patent pending
Specifically designed to kill E. coli bacteria, the patent-pending technology is marketed as DF 301 Antibacterial Co-extrudate and DF 308 Antibacterial Antifog Co-Extrudate.
It’s a wrap: The antibacterial film
The film is supplied at a thickness of 30 microns although other thicknesses are available on request.
Reel width is less than 12mm
The new film, which took two years to develop, is said to have mechanical and optical properties that are identical to the company’s standard film.
Price is available on request.
According to a company statement: “This film comes from the company’s concern for health and food security. After research over two years, both our own R&D and independent laboratories, (we discovered an agent) in plastic which in contact with the surface of the film, reduces 99.9% of bacterial culture – especially the dangerous E. coli.
“This helps ensure the health of consumers without losing any of the properties of the product packaging.”
Antimicrobial agent
No information was available about the nature of the patent-pending antimicrobial agent included in the biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film.
BOPP films are said to have become more popular in recent years due to their ability to offer properties such as better shrinkage, stiffness, transparency, sealability, twist retention and barrier capability.
The film is used in a range of applications including: flexible packaging, pressure sensitive tape, printing and lamination and flower sleeves.
