Program and Year: 2021 Master’s Studentship Award
Project Title: Development of Smart and Biodegradable, Multilayered Food Packaging
Department: Biosystems Engineering
Faculty: Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba (Supervisors: Dr. David Levin and Dr. Song Liu)
Synopsis:
My research aims to develop new food packaging products from biodegradable plastics and plant-based additives that slow the rate food spoils and changes colours to indicate when spoilage occurs in real-time. In doing so, I am techniques to improve the properties of biodegradable plastic blends, testing the bioactivity of plant extracts for use in the packaging, fabricating the food packaging, and will ultimately test the products with food products that play a critical role in the Manitoban economy (pork and canola oil).
What will the impacts/benefits of this research be to Manitoba/Canada?
Food waste remains a significant consequence of our highly distributed food supply chain and result in foodborne illness. At the same time, traditional plastic packaging has contributed to the growing problem of plastic pollution. The food packaging developed through this research will alleviate the impact of these issues while providing consumers with more information regarding the safety and quality of the food they are buying.
What do you hope to achieve at the end of your Research Manitoba funded project?
By the end of my Masters Studentship award, I hope to have fabricated the food packaging and characterized the bioactivity of the additives in preparation for tests with food products.
How did the funds you received from Research Manitoba advance this research and/or your career?
The funding I received through Research Manitoba has allowed me to focus solely on my research and related activities. This has helped move my project forward and allowed me to collaborate on additional research projects to broaden my research experience.