Abstract: Systems and methods for forming bio-based microperforated packages substantially composed of poly(lactic acid) which are particularly useful for storing respiring products in that the respiration rate (i.e., CO2 and O2 fluxes) can be controlled and the water vapor transmission rates reduced, thus inhibiting weight loss and prolonging the quality and shelf life of such respiring products, by, among other things, varying the amount of microperforations in the package.

Abstract: The use of ?-CDs as nucleating agents for PLA to provide an increase in polymer crystallinity is described. The improvement in increased crystallinity is related to the percentage of ?-CDs used. For the analyzed films, crystallinity was approximately 1.47% in the absence of a nucleating agent, and approximately 17.85% in the presence of the maximum amount of nucleating agent tested (e.g., 30%). Thus, improvement in processability, producability, and heat resistance of PLA will depend on the amount of ?-CDs loaded. Additionally, loading PLA with ?-CDs carrying an antifungal volatile is an effective way to increase PLA crystallinity besides avoiding fungal development when used in active packaging. In this case, the antifungal volatiles, along with changes in headspace concentration because of changes in crystallinity, may prolong the fresh produce shelf life.

Abstract: Systems are provided for preventing post harvest fungal diseases of food systems, such as but not limited to fresh produce, such as but not limited to berries (e.g., blueberries). For example, various anti-fungal compounds can incorporated or encapsulated into cyclodextrins, such as but not limited to ?, ? and/or ? cyclodextrins. The encapsulated anti-fungal materials can be used alone (e.g., brought into proximity to the produce) or incorporated into film and/or packaging materials that are used in the packing and/or storing of produce. By way of a non-limiting example, the anti-fungal compounds can include volatile compounds such as but not limited to acetaldehyde, hexanal and 2E-hexenal. The cyclodextrins provide controlled release of the volatiles over a period of at least several days such that they prevent or inhibit fungal growth, including but not limited to several species of the Colletotrichum, Altermaria, Botrytis, Penicillium and/or Aspergillus genera.

Abstract: Specific polymer blends of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly-(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) as a fatty acid quaternary ammonium modified clay. The blends are particularly useful for barrier packaging.