Recent advances in packaging solutions for emerging food processing technologies

Abstract

New technologies are increasingly emerging as alternatives to 10 conventional treatments. This review summarizes recent advances in packaging solutions that enable in-package applications of pulsed light, UV-C radiation, high-pressure processing (HPP), ohmic heating, ultrasound, microwave-assisted thermal sterilization (MATS) and microwave-assisted pasteurization (MAPS). Emphasis is given to polymer packaging materials, as these are the main structures currently employed in such applications. The prerequisites for each operation are mapped, such as high transmittance and optical homogeneity for pulsed light and UV-C radiation, isostatic compressibility, robust sealing, and dimensional recovery for HPP, electro-thermal stability and field uniformity for ohmic heating, and mechanical resilie