Biodegradable packaging applied to dairy products

Abstract

Dairy products are highly prone to oxidation and microbial growth and require packaging with low oxygen permeability to assure shelf life. This chapter focuses on the recent research concerning biobased biodegradable packaging for application to dairy products, and evaluates challenges in relation to the maintenance of biodegradability and safety while improving packaging characteristics. Polylactic acid (PLA) is currently used for packaging in the food industry. The influence of the packaging with biodegradable PLA and PLA coated with a barrier of pure silicon oxide and in combination with modified atmosphere (MAP) on the shelf life of soft cheese Kleo produced in Latvia, was studied by Dukalska et al. The chapter summarizes recent research concerning edible films used for cheese preservation. The study of the packaging behavior in realistic external conditions for different dairy products will help to evaluate the efficiency of this environmental friendly technology for lengthening shelf life and improving food quality.