Corrugated carton packaging is superior to recyclable plastic packaging (RPC) in preventing microbial contamination. Make produce in corrugated boxes fresher when it arrives and last longer.
Why is corrugated packaging better than recyclable plastic at preventing microbial contamination
The latest study, by Professor RosalbaLanciotti and his team from the Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences at the University of Bolongna in Italy, shows that:
The fresh-keeping time of corrugated carton for plastic packaging and fruit is 3 days longer than that of plastic packaging. Microorganisms on the surface of corrugated cardboard die faster because they are trapped between fibers and lack of water and nutrients. On the contrary, microorganisms on the surface of plastic can survive longer.
"This is an important study that sheds light on why corrugated box packaging can inhibit bacterial growth," said CEO Dan Niscolley, president of the National Carton Association (FBA).
"Corrugated box packaging traps microbes between fibers and keeps them away from vegetables and fruits, making corrugated produce fresher when it arrives and lasting longer."
Corrugated boxes can be searched for more excellent properties through scientific means
The significance of this research is to increase the confidence of the paper industry to find more excellent properties of corrugated carton packaging through scientific means.
Looking at disease-causing microorganisms that can cause foodborne illness, and rotting microorganisms that can affect the shelf life and quality of fruit. The surface of corrugated cardboard and the surface of plastic were inoculated with microorganisms, and the change of microbial population over time was observed. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that a few hours after inoculation, the surface of corrugated cardboard was much less contaminated than the surface of plastic.
The surface of the corrugated carton can trap microbial cells between the fibers, and once the cells are trapped, researchers can watch how they dissolve: cell walls and membranes rupture -- cytoplasmic leakage -- and cell disintegration. This phenomenon occurs on all of the targeted microorganisms (pathogenic and putrefiable) under study.
Post time: Nov-10-2022