Background:
Chitosan, as the most abundant and biodegradable bio-polymer derived from chitin, which is the second largest renewable resource after cellulose in the world. Basically, the name chitin is derived from the Greek, meaning “tunic” or “envelope”. Chitosan has found considerable application in various industrial areas. Chitosan has been considered as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US FDA in 2005. Owing to its high biodegradability, non-toxicity, Insecticidal effect and is widely-used as an antimicrobial agent either alone or blended with other natural polymers. Exhibiting lower water vapor permeability, good mechanical and improved gas barrier properties. Many literatures reported that development of edible coatings for enhancement of shelf life in case of fruits and vegetables. As biodegradable Chitosan can be applied as a coating on the surface of polythene bags/jute/cotton fabrics in order to improve its barrier properties against water vapor and air. The food packaging industry can benefit from the addition of Chitosan to its current packaging. It is new avenue in storage of food grain act as bio-degradable packaging material and mold inhibitor, Insect repellent in selected food grains and its processed products. Presently Chitosan coated storage bags for wholesale/retail/consumer level (5kg/bag) then by adopting the Chitosan coated storage bags for government agencies (FCI, warehouse) to safeguard the storage grain and reduce post- harvest loss and attend food security:
Technology Details:
The 2 % Chitosan in 2 % glacial acetic acid solution was used to dip and pad cure method for coating hessian jute fabric, cloth and jute laminated PP fabric. Optimize coating parameter 1meter/minute speed, squeezing bar pressure 6 bar and curing temperature 105oC and 81.4oC. Jute fabric consumed higher volume of chitosan solution (1.2 ± 0.3 liters/ 10-meter fabric) followed by Jute laminated PP (0.7 ± 0.2 liters/ 10-meter fabric) and cotton (0.4 ± 0.1 liters/ 10-meter fabric). Jute fabric thickness increased from 0.81 to 1.37 mm, similarly Jute laminated PP increased from 0.77 to 1. 07 mm and cotton increased from 0.134 to 0.362 mm. It was also observed that lower water vapor permeability, good mechanical and improved gas barrier properties after coating. Higher tensile strength found in the Jute Laminated PP (256.93 ± 11.96 N/mm) followed by Chitosan coated jute fabric (247 ± 36.28 N/mm). Storage of 90 days of Sorghum Stored inside best packaging material Chitosan coated Jute bags with Artificial Infestation was found that cumulative Grain damage (2.51%), weight loss (1.52%) and Powder Residue (1.56%) lower with chemical properties viz protein 9.87 ± 0.02 %, total phenols 30.01 ± 0.02mg/ 100 g, Tannins 28.9 ± 0.06 mg/ 100g and Antioxidants activity 375 ± 0.02 µg/g and achieved faster mortality of Insects. Similar trend was observed in pearl millet storage. • The developed technology of coating of packaging material and the best treatment found from the study was Jute bags with 2 % Chitosan coating. It was proved to effective against infestation by storage insects (lesser grain borer and Rice weevil) be a viable option to reduce losses of sorghum and Pearl millet caused by such deterioration. This would be adding value to Jute bags could be adopted by the Jute bag manufactures.