ARTICLES
- Increasing attention has been placed on the development of food packaging material with antimicrobial and antifungal properties, to improve food safety, extend shelf-life and to minimise the use of chemical preservatives. Consumers are also demanding packaging materials formulated from natural materials that are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. A new kind of natural packaging wrap derived from the shells of shrimp and other crustaceans could go significantly beyond the preservation potential of today’s plastic wrap. Also, a Dutch start up has created a material that can reduce the amount of harmful bacteria growing inside food packaging by 97%, easing the spread of dangerous bacteria. Read more in New anti-bacterial packaging doubles shelf-life of perishable food, packaging with Zinc reduces bacteria by 97%
- Antimicrobial polymers is a class of polymers with the ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi or protozoans. This makes this material a prime candidate as a means to fight infection, to prevent bacterial contamination, and in water sanitation. An antibacterial geopolymer, with potential in the construction industry has been developed. It is an inorganic resin that inhibits development, growth and reproduction of bacteria, yeasts and fungi; used as a cement, it can adhere to metal surfaces, ceramics or glass. A recent discovery could be an important breakthrough in the search for environmentally-friendly ways to control bacteria while preventing antibiotic resistance and resistant bacteria- in the form of an antibacterial polymer. Read more in Antibacterial geopolymer for construction industry, antibacterial polymer for sportswear, diapers and bandages
- Antimicrobial plastic are a type of polymer material infused with antimicrobial agents and additives such as organic-metallic biocides and arseni-based oxybisphenox arsine (OBPA). Packaging and Healthcare are the two major applications and is projected to dominate the global market by 2020 mainly due to the growth of innovative ways to proactively inhibit microbial growth on surfaces. USA is currently the largest antimicrobial plastics consumer globally, but the Asia-Pacific region is projected to dominate the market and is anticipated to account for the highest growth rate between 2015 and 2020. Many top market players are relocating production and distribution to tap the growing market demand in these regions. Read more in Driven by robust demand from Asia-Pacific, global antimicrobial plastics market to grow well until 2020
- Antimicrobial packaging is a technology which effectively impregnates the antimicrobial into the packaging material and subsequently delivers it over the stipulated period of time to kill the pathogenic microorganisms affecting food products thereby increasing the shelf life. The product stays fresher for longer, hence the potential to extend use-by dates and less wastage. Increasing demand from food & beverage industry followed by health care favours market growth. Furthermore, growing concerns about food wastage, rising demand from various verticals such as consumer goods, and increasing awareness about health related issues serve as growth drivers. To know more about growing user industries, growth drivers, challenges faced, restraining factors and growing regions, read Increasing demand from food & beverage industry to drive global antimicrobial packaging market
- With the advent of 3-D bioprinting, cells can now be dispensed from the printer onto a biologically compatible scaffolding, layer by layer, to create a three dimensional viable tissue. Recently, researchers have found some amazing healthcare and biological applications for 3-D printing technology, called bioprinting. Researchers have successfully created a 3D-printed tooth implant made from an antimicrobial resin that kills harmful bacteria in the mouth - resulting in a tooth that effectively cleans itself. Another team has created tissue interlaced with blood vessels - a patch of tissue containing skin cells and biological structural material interwoven with blood-vessel-like structures. A critical requirement for tissue-engineered heart valves is that the engineered valve must be able to mimic the physiological function of the native valve, including the natural geometry and performance of the valve root, cusps, and sinus wall, all of which are essential for healthy coronary blood flow. A team has taken steps to fabricate living heart valves that possess the same anatomical architecture as the original valve. Read more in 3D-printed antimicrobial teeth, blood vessels, heart valve made with co-polymer hydrogels
