PLAnt-based antiMIcrobial aNd circular PACKaging for plant products

In the Mediterranean area, a wide variety of fruits are produced, generating considerable amounts of waste and by-products along the entire supply chain. This represents both an environmental challenge and a valuable resource for bioactive molecules and bio-based materials. Therefore, it is essential to enhance the efficiency of the entire food chain and promote new valorization strategies through extraction, composite production, and bioconversion. The resulting products can be utilized in various fields, such as the packaging sector, offering an alternative to fossil-based products1. The PLAMINPACK project, funded by national research entities under the PRIMA program, aims to develop scalable bio-based compostable packaging materials (e.g., films, nets, and trays) derived from plant sources to prevent food spoilage and offer an alternative to commercial fossil-based packaging materials. Representative agricultural waste from fruit trees selected for this ongoing project includes those producing strawberries, tangerines, and dates plants (Figure). Interestingly, the fruits to be tested are strawberries, dates, and tangerines, ensuring a fully circular approach. Biocircular approach of PLAMINPACK project: The project involves an extended consortium consisting of nine partners from six different countries: Italy, Morocco, Germany, Greece, Tunisia, and France. Coatings based on chitosan obtained from insects and substrates based on bio-based polyesters are the polymeric materials investigated in the project.