Application of bio-based polymers for fresh meat packaging

This research is focused on the application of biopolymers for fresh meat packaging, as a potential replacement to the commercial PVC film wrapped on expanded polystyrene (PS) tray system. For each experimental thesis, beef steaks were packed using an expanded polylactic acid (PLA) tray, having a biodegradable pad and either wrapped with a PVC film, or heat-sealed with three different biopolymeric films: PLA, Mater-Bi 1 and Mater-Bi 2. As control, meat samples were packed in PS trays with a polyolefinic pad wrapped with a PVC film, hence replicating a commercially available packaging system for fresh meat. All the samples were stored at 4 °C for8 days and the meat quality was assessed throughout the whole storage period by using physical, chemical and microbiological indexes (pH, colour, lipid oxidation,weight loss, psychrophilic bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta). The experimental data indicated that no significant differences exist among the various packaging systems investigated.