Value-addition of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) by developing food packaging materials and assessment on food safety – II
PI: Nayak, Balunkeswar (Food and Agriculture, UMaine)
Sector: Forestry, Advanced Materials
Partners: US Forest Service, Twin Rivers Paper
Abstract: This application proposes funding request for research-based training of a RRF supported Doctoral student at UMaine. The student will continue engage in research and training in cross-disciplinary areas including food process engineering, cellulose nanocomposites and polymer science. The research component of this proposal focuses on the antimicrobial behavior of CNF modified packaging materials in reducing bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation However, the complete and long-term scope of this research is to design CNF based films and coatings for various types of food products (low, medium and high moisture) to improve shelf-life during storage.