Eco-friendly active packaging consisting of nanostructured biopolymer matrix reinforced with TiO2 and essential oil: Application for preservation of refrigerated meat.

Biodegradable active packaging is required to replace petroleum-based plastics. In this study, a biopolymer-based packaging material was prepared using a casting method, which consisted of a cellulose nanofiber/whey protein matrix containing titanium dioxide particles (1% TiO2) and essential oil droplets (2% rosemary oil) as functional components. The ability of this packaging to protect lamb meat from chemical and microbial spoilage during 15 days of refrigerated storage (4 °C) was analysed. The meat samples were periodically analysed for microbial count, chemical stability (pH, lipid oxidation, lipolysis), and optical properties. The active packaging significantly reduced microbial growth, lipid oxidation, and lipolysis of the lamb meat during storage, which led to an increase in shelf life from around 6 to 15 days. These biopolymer-based active packaging materials may therefore be suitable for application in meat products.