AGROALNEXT Project: Use of biodegradable and compostable materials for packaging minimally processed (IV range) products. Suitability of their use for short food supply chains. Life cycle assessment study
- Type Project
- Scope Autonómico
- Autonomous community Murcia, Región de
- Main source of financing NextGenerationEU
- Project website Web del Proyecto
Description
The project analyzes agroecological practices versus conventional systems to improve soil health in horticulture, seeking to increase organic matter, fertility, structure and biodiversity, reconciling productivity with sustainability and reducing environmental impact and long-term production costs.
Results
The use of biodegradable plastics formulated with polylactic acid (PLA) and Kraft paper allows leafy vegetables to have a shelf life of 7 days at 4°C, suitable for the ready-to-eat sector, without causing significant alterations in quality or microbiological safety. PLA-based plastics, without the addition of Kraft paper, retain high levels of moisture, causing the leaves to become soggy. Cellulose-based plastics absorb moisture from the product, resulting in greater weight loss of the leaves post-harvest and minimal atmospheric modification. The application of melatonin before harvest mitigates chilling injury during post-harvest storage of basil when using biodegradable plastics as packaging material.
Contact information
- Coordinator/Entity Name: Juan Antonio Fernández Hernández
- Mailing address: Not available
- Email coordinator/entity: juan.fernandez@upct.es
- Phone: Not available
Coordinators
- UPCT
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