@article{upadhyay_agbesi_arafat_urdaneta_dey_basak_hong_umeileka_argyropoulos_2024, title={Bio-based smart packaging: Fundamentals and functions in sustainable food systems}, volume={145}, ISSN={0924-2244}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2024.104369}, DOI={10.1016/j.tifs.2024.104369}, abstractNote={The packaging industry ensures that products are safe, minimizing waste while extending shelf life. Bio-based smart packaging has the potential to achieve both sustainability and real-time monitoring of food quality, resulting in environmental and health benefits. Smart packaging that integrates interactive technologies to extend the shelf life of perishable foods has been the subject of increasing research. Traditional packaging potentially contributes to environmental pollution and littering due to its limited biodegradability. Consequently, there is a rising demand for sustainable alternatives. The demand is driven by changing consumer expectations, product complexity, and attitudes toward sustainability. Therefore, this review examines the general principles, mechanisms, and prospects of sustainable smart packaging materials, such as wood-based, protein-based, and microbial-based polymers. In this account, the significance of bio-based smart packaging in the food industry is emphasized by describing the various scientific operating principles that such novel indicators are based on, such as pH and gas indicators, biosensors, Time-Temperature indicators (TTI), and gas sensors; all focused at improving food product quality and safety. Compared to conventional fossil-based packaging materials, most bio-based smart packaging offers similar functionality. These latest-developed materials improve the safety, effectiveness, and sustainability of packaged food distribution and consumption. Therefore, this review can serve as a valuable resource for researchers, manufacturers, and consumers in reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable food packaging practices.}, journal={Trends in Food Science & Technology}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Upadhyay, Aakash and Agbesi, Phillip and Arafat, Kazi Md Yasin and Urdaneta, Fernando and Dey, Moumita and Basak, Munmun and Hong, Shiyao and Umeileka, Chisom and Argyropoulos, Dimitris}, year={2024}, month={Mar}, pages={104369} }
 @article{upadhyay_lucia_pal_2023, title={Harnessing total chemical-free paper and packaging materials barrier properties by mechanical modification of cellulosic fibers for food security and environmental sustainability}, volume={35}, ISSN={["2352-9407"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.apmt.2023.101973}, abstractNote={Surging interest in finding sustainable alternatives for single-use plastics has galvanized research into cellulosic fiber-based paper and packaging materials. This investigation examines mechanical (refining & calendering) approaches to enhance paper's barrier properties comprising Southern bleached hardwood kraft (SBHK) and Southern bleached softwood kraft (SBSK) fibers. With increased refining intensity followed by calendering, paper thickness decreases while the apparent density increases. The refining process also generates more fibrils and fines, as reflected by reduced pulp freeness. Air resistance increases significantly due to denser fiber networks and reduced porosity. Refining also improves the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and oil & grease resistance (OGR). A 48 % reduction in WVTR and a Kit "9″ rating for OGR were observed in SBHK paper sheets refined at 16000 revolution. Notably, refining modifies cellulose fiber morphology, promoting 59 % and 94 % external fibrillation in SBSK and SBHK fibers, respectively. This change facilitates a more compact fiber arrangement, enhancing barrier properties. XRD patterns show an initial increase in cellulose crystallinity with refining, decreasing at a higher revolution of refining. SEM analysis reveals decreased surface roughness and pore fraction post-calendering, enhancing air and OGR. In a relative sense, hardwood fibers showed higher barrier performance than softwood fibers. Our work demonstrates mechanical modifications of fibers and paper web can effectively tune paper barrier performance such as WVTR, OGR, and air/oxygen resistance.}, journal={APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY}, author={Upadhyay, Aakash and Lucia, Lucian and Pal, Lokendra}, year={2023}, month={Dec} }