Development of a Biopolymer-Based Anti-Fog Coating with Sealing Properties for Applications in the Food Packaging Sector

Abstract

The quest for sustainable and functional food packaging materials has led researchers to explore biopolymers such as pullulan, which has emerged as a notable candidate for its excellent film-forming and anti-fogging properties. This study introduces an innovative anti-fog coating by combining pullulan with poly (acrylic acid sodium salt) to enhance the display of packaged food in high humidity environments without impairing the sealing performance of the packaging material—two critical factors in preserving food quality and consumers’ acceptance. The research focused on varying the ratios of pullulan to poly (acrylic acid sodium salt) and investigating the performance of this formulation as an anti-fog coating on bioriented polypropylene (BOPP). Contact angle analysis showed a significant improvement in BOPP wettability after coating deposition, with water contact angle values ranging from ~60° to ~17° for formulations consisting only of poly (acrylic acid sodium salt) (P0) or pullulan (P100), respectively. Furthermore, seal strength evaluations demonstrated acceptable performance, with the optimal formulation (P50) achieving the highest sealing force (~2.7 N/2.5 cm) at higher temperatures (130 °C). These results highlight the exceptional potential of a pullulan-based coating as an alternative to conventional packaging materials, significantly enhancing anti-fogging performance.