Organic-inorganic hybrid biodegradable materials containing silica as inorganic component and poly (butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) as organic component were successfully prepared by sol–gel method. The hybrid prepared with phenyltriethoxysilane was the most transparent without cracks among all the prepared hybrids. Thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) and heat resistance test showed that heat resistance of the hybrid was improved. These results indicated that the organic and inorganic segments were well dispersed in the structure of the hybrid at the molecular level.

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The increase in consumer demand for healthier, fresher, high quality foods with little-to-no preservatives has increased the need for packaging technology that can provide a higher level of protection. Active packaging technologies are being incorporated into different packaging formats to provide this advanced level of protection. This type of packaging technology offers a variety of benefits over standard passive packaging materials and can be designed to preserve product freshness and provide the food processor with more options for protecting their product quality. Many of these technologies can be incorporated directly into flexible packaging materials, eliminating the addition of a sachet inside the package. Sealed Air Corporation offers a line of active packaging technologies in their Cryovac Freshness Plus™ portfolio which are designed to protect product color, flavor, nutrients and aroma. These packaging materials consist of oxygen scavenging films, active barrier films and odor scavenging materials. This article is a review of the materials’ performance and applications.

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