DOST develops new food packaging material

MANILA, Philippines - A team of scientists from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has come up with a biodegradable, environment-friendly food packaging material that protects food and extends its shelf life using nanotechnology.

The team of scientists from DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), led by Dr. Blessie A. Basilia,  developed a biodegradable film material that can be used for food packaging made from a mixture of starch and clay that are both locally available.

Basilia is head of the DOST-ITDI’s Material Sciences Division.

In producing their biodegradable film, the scientists use clay that comes in layers tightly held together, so it is processed first and then blended effectively with starch. 

In the production process of the Basilia-led team, clay is treated with ions in a process called ion exchange which results in wider spaces between the layers of the clay.

This treated clay is called organoclay or nanoclay, its commercial name.

Nanoclay is blended with thermoplastic starch made from cornstarch to help increase the latter’s strength.

The clay-plastic blend goes through the same process and equipment in making petroleum-based plastics.

The resulting product passed the migration test required for packaging films which means that the materials in the product will not contaminate the food it is in contact with.

More commonly used plastic food packaging protects and extends shelf life of food and offers convenience to consumers. 

However, plastics are not biodegradable and pose harm to the environment. 

When disposed of indiscriminately, plastics clog waterways and contribute to flooding.  Plastics that find their way to oceans cause serious harm to marine wildlife which mistake them for food.

Thus the DOST said their developed green packaging technology will not only help address the disposal of food packaging wastes but will also benefit the packaging and plastic industries in the country.

Nanotechnology, in which things are structured at the atomic and molecular levels, is one of DOST’s priority among emerging technologies through its sectoral council Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development which funded and monitored the project.