Exploring aCtive edible materials based on pHenolic-biocOnjugates from agro-industrial by-products for Sustainable and healthy future food packaging (ECHOS)

Research Project, 2024 – 2025

Active-edible materials applied in food packaging have great potential as a sustainable strategy for maintaining food quality: they act as a barrier to the outside environment and a vehicle for active compounds that can extend the shelf-life of food products. Agro-industrial byproducts represent a valuable source of active and functional compounds for packaging development, with great accessibility and low prices while decreasing reliance on fossil resources. Among the compounds present in agro-industrial byproducts, phenolic-carbohydrates bioconjugates have attracted a lot of attention in the last years due to their bioactive properties as antioxidant and prebiotic, which can promote a positive influence on human health. However, their application on the development of active edible materials for food packaging remains poorly explored. ECHOS project proposes an innovative approach using phenolic-carbohydrates bioconjugates in the design of edible packaging with improved performance combining the mentioned bioactivity with functional properties to form self-standing films and coatings. Two biorefinery approaches will be developed in the present study to add value to relevant agro-industrial biomasses; (1) the recovery of natural bioconjugates by green extraction techniques, and (2) the enzymatic cross-link of phenolic-rich fraction and exogenous carbohydrates. A comparative study will be conducted on the feasibility and sustainability of using natural and biomimetic bioconjugates as active packaging materials. The bioactivity of the materials will be continuously assessed on fresh food preservation, along with the health benefits associated with their intake e.g. prebiotic effects on gut microbiota. The ECHOS project will lead to an important advance in the use of phenolic-bioconjugates as building blocks in the future food packaging market aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal initiative.