Cellulose-based materials with bio-based, biodegradable coatings have received attention as alternatives to plastics for food packaging. However, such materials have not yet demonstrated suitability for challenging applications, such as modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) of fresh meat. In this study, dry-formed cellulose trays were coated with a blend of poly(butylene-succinate) (PBS) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). They were then used for MAP of skinless chicken breast fillets in 60 %CO 2 and 40 %N 2 , sealed with conventional plastic. The quality of the chicken was assessed in terms of drip loss, microbiological, and sensory quality over 19 days of refrigerated storage. In addition, the gas transmission rate, compression resistance, deformation, weight, and odor of the trays were evaluated. Adhesion between coating and cellulose trays was sufficient, and seal integrity could be maintained throughout storage. The suitability of cellulose/PBS+PHBV trays was mainly limited by the high CO 2 transmission rate (CO 2 TR) and CO 2 TR/O 2 transmission rate (OTR) ratio, causing substantial drip loss and deformation of the packages. Despite a higher growth of Enterobacteriaceae (like Hafnia alvei ) in cellulose/PBS+PHBV-packaged chicken compared to that in PET, the intensities of negative odor attributes were not significantly higher for chicken in cellulose/PBS+PHBV. The cellulose-based trays were weakened by the humid conditions, but the PBS+PHBV coating maintained its functionality and protected the cellulose from being extensively affected by food contact. Dry-formed cellulose trays coated with PBS+PHBV demonstrated promising properties, indicating potential for MAP applications if barrier and sealing performance are optimized. Nevertheless, limitations in CO₂ barrier under humid conditions must be addressed in future development. • The coating protected cellulose, but high CO₂ transmission caused drip loss and deformation. • The CO 2 TR/OTR ratio was higher for the cellulose trays compared to the PET trays. • Lower CO₂ promoted bacterial growth in coated cellulose trays, while odor was minimally affected. • The sensory quality of chicken was similar between the cellulose trays and the PET trays. • Cellulose/PBS+PHBV trays show MAP potential, but barrier and sealing need improvement.
Lindstad et al. (Thu,) studied this question.