Abstract: A composition suitable for making edible films or coatings, the composition comprising a conjugate of bio fiber gum and whey protein isolate and at least one food grade antimicrobial.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions suitable for making edible films or coatings, wherein the composition contains at least one biopolymer (e.g., chitosan), at least one active compound (e.g., essential oils, antioxidants, flavorings, antimicrobials), at least one bio emulsifier (e.g., bio-fiber gum), and at least one organic acid solution (e.g., acetic acid, lactic acid, levulinic acid). Disclosed are processes for making an edible film or edible coating on food, involving mixing at least one biopolymer, at least one active compound, at least one bio emulsifier, and at least one organic acid solution to form an emulsion, subjecting the emulsion to high pressure homogenization (e.g., at >15,000 psi) to form a micro-emulsion, and (1) pouring the micro-emulsion into a mold and allowing the micro-emulsion to harden into an edible film, and placing the edible film onto food, or (2) dipping the food into the micro-emulsion to form an edible coating on the food.

Abstract: Methods for extending the shelf-life of crops (e.g., roots, tubers, bulbs, corms, rhizomes and similar commodities), involving washing the crops (e.g., ginseng roots) in an aqueous solution containing about 50 ppm to about 500 ppm sodium hypochlorite and subsequently coating the crops with an aqueous solution containing chitosan and at least one organic acid (e.g., lactic acid, levulinic acid, acetic acid), and placing the crops in modified atmospheric packaging. The shelf-life of crops can be extended by up to about 38 weeks.

Abstract: Methods of producing food containers with an antimicrobial coating, involving (a) applying a composition containing zein and a carrier (e.g., ethanol) to a food container and drying the food container, and (b) subsequently applying to the food carrier a composition containing a binder (e.g., zein), a carrier (e.g., ethanol), and at least one compound selected from TiO2, metal doped TiO2, nonmetal doped TiO2, and mixtures thereof, and drying the food container.

Abstract: A composition containing poly(lactic acid), at least one bacteriocin (e.g., nisin, generally in the form of Nisaplin®), and at least one plasticizer (e.g., lactic acid, lactide, triacetin, glycerol triacetate), and optionally at least one pore forming agent. A method of making the composition, involving mixing about 100% of the total of the poly(lactic acid), about 50% to about 90% of the total of the at least one plasticizer, and optionally at least one pore forming agent at a first temperature of about 150° to about 170° C. to form a mixture, cooling the mixture to a second temperature of about 115° to about 125° C., adding at least one bacteriocin and about 10% to about 50% of the total of the at least one plasticizer and the remainder of the total of the poly(lactic acid) to the mixture and mixing to form the composition.