Project title:

Active GRAphene based FOOD packaging systems for a modern society

Contract No: 72/2017

Consortium coordinator: Associate Prof. ANCA PETER PhD

Programme: M-ERA-NET

Objectives

Main Objective

to develop a pilot-scale prototype of active food package based on paper and PLA film respectively, modified with graphene oxide activated by probiotic bacteria and by nanostructured Ag and TiO2, respectively

Specific Objectives

   to characterize the packages currently used for cheese and meat storage;
   to design, to manufacture and to characterize the prototype of the active packages;
   to validate the prototype and to optimize its manufacture technology;
   to reuse and recover the active packages and to establish their reproducibility during cheese and meat storage;
   to perform the market study regarding the perception of the consumers and of the food packaging producers on the new active packages;
   to start the procedure to homologate the most efficient paper and PLA film based active package;
   to start the procedure to obtain the Romanian and European patent.

Abstract

GRAFOOD aims to develop a pilot-scale prototype of active food package based on paper and polylactic acid (PLA) film respectively, modified with graphene oxide activated by probiotics and by nano-Ag-TiO2, respectively.

Specific objectives:

   characterize the packages currently used for cheese and meat storage;
   design, characterize and validate the prototype of active packages;
    start the procedure to homologate the most efficient PLA and paper based active package and to obtain the Romanian and European patents.

The result is a pilot-scale prototype of active package based on paper and PLA film, respectively.
The project has multi-lateral impact for academic research teams and their universities, environment and society.

Economic benefits:

reducing the costs for the processing of unsold goods;
diminishing the amount of the food waste and the costs for their processing, thus increasing the financial profit.

The evolution of TRL during the GRAFOOD proposal is from TRL 1 to TRL 7.

Partners


TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF CLUJ NAPOCA North University Center of Baia Mare, Romania	Ceprohart SA Braila Romania	National Institute of Chemistry Ljubljana Slovenia

Anca Peter	Cătălina Mihaela Talașman	Goran Drazic



Andaltec Spain	University of Camerino, Italy	Synbiotec Italy

Antonio Penas	Stefania Silvi	Alberto Cresci

Contracting Autorities

ROMANIA – UEFISCDI

The Executive Agency for Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation Funding

ITALY – MIUR

Ministero dell'Istruzione dell'Università e della Ricerca

SLOVENIA MIZS

Minister of Education, Science and Sport

SPAIN - MINECO

Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad

Research

Research Teams And Role

Research Activity Of The Team Members

Workplan

BUDGET

Partener	Person months	Total cost Euro	Requested Funding Euro
Partner 1 (Coordinator ): UTCN	20	180000	180000
Partner 2 CEPRO	16	93334	70000
Partner 3 UNICAM	30	174000	87000
Partner 4 SYN	18	115300	44260
Partner 5 NIC	10	90000	90000
Partner 6 ANDA	26	110000	110000
Total	120	762634	581260

Indicators of results achieved during the whole project

Centralizing

Type	Total number
Articles directed at the general public, published, accepted for publication and under evaluation in ISI ranked journals	12
Communications at scientific congresses/in proceedings	9
Scientific degrees	11
Scientific report performed by each partner to the National Agency in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020	4
Articles in brief in magazines	10
Website	-
Patent applications	2

Articles directed at the general public published, accepted for publication and under evaluation in ISI ranked journals

    1.   H. Xiaohui, N. Franks Kamgang, M.M. Coman, A. Peter, C.M. Talasman, G. Drazic, A. Penas, C. M. Verdenelli, G. Sagratini, S. Silvi, Antimicrobial Activity of Cell-free Supernatant of Lactobacillus Plantarum IMC 509 Against Common Food Spoilage Microbes, JOURNAL OF CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY, Volume 54, Page S23-S23, Published 2020
    2.   X. Huang, F. Kamgang Nzekoue, M.M. Coman, A. Peter, C.M. Talasman, G. Drazic, A. Penas, C.M. Verdenelli, G. Sagratini, S. Silvi, Lactobacillus strains treatment on commercial packaging paper as preliminary study for extending the shelf-life of chicken meat, J Biotech Res Biochem 2020, 3: 007.
    3.    A. Mihaly Cozmuta , A. Peter, L. Mihaly Cozmuta, C. Nicula, R. Apjok, G. Drazic, F. Kamgang Nzekoue, X. Huang, S. Silvi, G. Sagratini, A. Peñas, A. J. Calahorro, M. Cano‐Galey, O. Hodek, Impact of packaging properties on the physical-chemical-microbiological-sensory characteristics of Ricotta cheese during storage, Packaging Technology and Science, 33 (1), 27-37, 2020.
    4.    R. Apjok, A. Mihaly Cozmuta, A. Peter, L. Mihaly Cozmuta, C. Nicula, M. Baia, A. Vulpoi, Active packaging based on cellulose-chitosan-Ag/TiO2 nanocomposite for storage of clarified butter Cellulose (2019) 26(3) 1923-1946.
    5.    A. Peter, A. Mihaly-Cozmuta, C. Nicula, L. Mihaly-Cozmuta, A. Vulpoi, L. Baia, Fabric impregnated with TiO2 gel with self-cleaning property, Int. J. Applied Ceram. Technol. 2019, 16(2), 666-681.
    6.    A. Peter, C. Nicula, L. Mihaly-Cozmuta, A. Mihaly-Cozmuta, New active package based on titania coated on cardboard for storage of fresh prepared orange juice. J Food Process Eng. 2019, 42(2), Article Number: e12965
    7.    A. Mihaly Cozmuta, R. Apjok, A. Peter, L. Mihaly Cozmuta, C. Nicula, M. Baia, A. Vulpoi, Active papers coated with chitosan and containing TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles for increasing the shelf-life of walnut kernels, Cellulose (2018). 25(9), 5205-5225.
    8.    . Peter A., Mihaly-Cozmuta A., Nicula C., Mihaly-Cozmuta L.Innovative packaging system for extending the shelf life of food during storage, Article in brief, Carpathian Journal of Food Science and Technology, vol 9(4) 2017, 197.
    9.    Anca Peter, Leonard Mihaly Cozmuta, Camelia Nicula, Anca Mihaly Cozmuta, Robert Apjok, Catalina Mihaela Talasman, Goran Drazic, Antonio Peñas, Antonio Jesús Calahorro, Franks Kamgang Nzekoue, Xiaohui Huang, Gianni Sagratini, Stefania Silvi, Paper materials with functionalized surface. Part 2. Barrier properties, migration into the food simulants and antimicrobial activity, Cellulose Chemistry and Technology, 2020, accepted for publication, article ID: 2349.
    10.    Anca Peter, Leonard Mihaly Cozmuta, Camelia Nicula, Anca Mihaly Cozmuta, Catalina Mihaela Talasman, Goran Drazic, Marjan Bele, Alen Vizintin, Elena Tchernychova, Antonio Peñas, Antonio Jesús Calahorro, Gianni Sagratini, Stefania Silvi, Modifying the silver-titania nanocomposites with carbonaceous materials to remove the pollutants from domestic waste water, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2020, 20(XX), doi:10.1166/jnn.2020.18960, accepted for publication
    11.    Anca Peter, Leonard Mihaly Cozmuta, Camelia Nicula, Anca Mihaly Cozmuta, Robert Apjok, Catalina Mihaela Talasman, Goran Drazic, Antonio Peñas, Antonio Jesús Calahorro, Franks Kamgang Nzekoue, Xiaohui Huang, Gianni Sagratini, Stefania Silvi, Paper materials with functionalized surface. Part 1: morpho-structural and chemical characterization, Cellulose Chemistry and Technology, 2020, under evaluation, article ID: 2348.
    12.    Anca Peter, Leonard Mihaly Cozmuta, Camelia Nicula, Anca Mihaly Cozmuta, Robert Apjok, Catalina Mihaela Talasman, Goran Drazic, Antonio Peñas, Antonio Jesús Calahorro, Franks Kamgang Nzekoue, Xiaohui Huang, Gianni Sagratini, Stefania Silvi, Paper materials with functionalized surface. Part 3: analysis of the environmental impact using the life cycle assessment (LCA), Cellulose Chemistry and Technology, 2020, under evaluation, article ID: 2361

Communications at scientific conferences

    1.     Sagratini,G., F. Kamgang Nzekoue, X. Huang, A. Peter, L. Mihaly Cozmuta, C. Nicula, A. Mihaly Cozmuta, R. Apjok, C. M. Talasman, G. Drazic, A. Peñas, A. J. Calahorro, M. M. Coman, M. C. Verdenelli, G. Caprioli, S. Vittori, S. Silvi. (2019) GRAFOOD: Active GRAphene based FOOD packaging system for a modern society. Oral communication at XX EuroFoodChem Conference, 17-19/06/2019, Porto, Portugal.
    2.    Huang X., Kamgang Nzekoue F., Coman MM., Peter A., Talasman CM., Drazic G., Peñas A., Verdenelli MC., Sagratini G., Silvi S. (2019). PROBIOTICS AS ACTIVE AGENTS IN PAPER BASED WRAPPING SYSTEM FOR INCREASING THE SHELF-LIFE OF RAW MEAT. Poster at IPC 2019 - International scientific con. Huang X., Kamgang Nzekoue F., Coman MM.,Peter A., Talasman CM., Drazic G., Peñas A., Verdenelli MC., Sagratini G., Silvi S. (2019) ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CELL-FREE SUPERNATANT OF LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUMIMC 509 AGAINST COMMON FOOD SPOILAGE MICROBES. Poster at 10TH PROBIOTICS, PREBIOTICS & NEW FOODS, NUTRACEUTICALS AND BOTANICALS FOR NUTRITION & HUMAN AND MICROBIOTA HEALTH, 08-10/09/2019, UNIVERSITÀ URBANIANA, Roma, Italyference. PROBIOTICS, PREBIOTICS GUT MICROBIOTA AND HEALTH, 17-20/06/2019, Prague, Czech Republic.
    3.   Huang X., Kamgang Nzekoue F., Coman MM., Peter A., Talasman CM., Drazic G., Peñas A., Verdenelli MC., Sagratini G., Silvi S. (2019). Characterization of probiotics as active agent in PLA packaging for counteracting spoilage in ricotta cheese. Poster at Cibo e nutraceutici: parola chiave “CARATTERIZZAZIONE”. 4° Convegno a cura delle Piattaforme Tematiche di Ateneo, 09/07/2019, Camerino, Italy.
    4.     Huang X., Kamgang Nzekoue F., Coman MM., Peter A., Talasman CM., Drazic G., Peñas A., Verdenelli MC., Sagratini G., Silvi S. (2019) ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CELL-FREE SUPERNATANT OF LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM IMC 509 AGAINST COMMON FOOD SPOILAGE MICROBES. Poster at 10TH PROBIOTICS, PREBIOTICS & NEW FOODS, NUTRACEUTICALS AND BOTANICALS FOR NUTRITION & HUMAN AND MICROBIOTA HEALTH, 08-10/09/2019, UNIVERSITÀ URBANIANA, Roma, Italy.
    5.     Silvi, S., Verdenelli, MC., Peter, A., Sagratini, G. (2018). EU project GRAFOOD: Active GRAphene based FOOD packaging systems for a modern society. Oral presentation at Cibo e nutraceutici: direzione salute. 3° Convegno a cura delle Piattaforme Tematiche di Ateneo. 10/07/2018, Camerino, Italy.
    6.     A. Mihaly Cozmuta, R. Apjok, A. Peter, L. Mihaly Cozmuta, C. Nicula, M. Baia, A. Vulpoi, Active papers coated in chitosan and containing TiO2 and Ag/TiO2 nanoparticles for increasing the walnut kernels shelf-life, Conference Students for Students, 18-22 April 2018, Babes – Bolyai University, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Cluj Napoca, Romania.
    7.    Huang, X., Sagratini, G., Silvi, S. (2018). Sensory and microbiological assessment of foods stored in packaging from different European countries. Poster at Cibo e nutraceutici: direzione salute. 3° Convegno a cura delle Piattaforme Tematiche di Ateneo. 10/07/2018, Camerino, Italy.
    8.     Kamgang Nzekoue , F., Caprioli, G., Huang, X., Silvi, S., Sagratini, G. (2018). Active graphene based food packaging systems for a modern society (GRAFOOD). Poster at CHIMALI - XII Italian Food Chemistry Congress, September 24-27, 2018, Camerino, Italy.
    9.     Franks Kamgang Nzekoue, Preservation of cheese quality: evaluation of food packaging efficiency through the monitoring of free fatty acids and hexanal by HS-SPME-GC-MS, Cibo e nutraceutici: direzione salute Camerino 10 luglio 2018 Auditorium Benedetto XIII - via Le Mosse - Colle Paradiso.

Scientific degrees

1. Master Degree Thesis – Biological Sciences. Biogenic amines as shelf life markers for the evaluation of food packaging performance.
Candidate: Manuella Lesly Kouamo.
Supervisors: G. Sagratini & S. Silvi
Academic Year: 2018-2019
2. Master degree thesis - Methods used to the quality control of environment and products.
Ambalaje pe bază de acid polilactic modificate cu grafenă: obținere și caracterizare (Packages based on polylactic acid modified with graphene - preparation and characterisation)
Student: Alexandra Cristea
Tutor: Anca Peter
Academic year: 2018-2019
3. Master Degree Thesis – Pharmacy Course
Studio di nuovi active packaging basati su grafene ed attivati con probiotici.
Candidate: Beatrice Magistri
Supervisors: G. Sagratini & S. Silvi
Academic Year : 2017-2018.
4. Master degree thesis Probiotics vs. spoilage: la nuova sfida del packaging. Experimental Thesis work on Food Chemistry.
Candidate: Lodovica Pocek.
Supervisor: Prof. G. Sagratini; Co-supervisor: Dr. S. Silvi.
Academic Year: 2017-2018.
5. Master degree thesis Grafood e packaging alimentare: ammine biogene come marker di shelf life. Experimental Thesis work on Food Chemistry. Master Course in Pharmacy.
Candidate: Gennaro Caprioli
Supervisor: Prof. G. Sagratini; Co-supervisor: Dr. S. Silvi
Academic Year: 2016-2017
6. Bachelor degree thesis- Food Engineering licence specialization Studiul ambalajelor pe bază de acid polilactic modificat cu compozit nanostructurat (Study of packages based on polylactic acid modified with nanostructured composite)
Student: Nicoleta Raveca Szabo
Tutor: Anca Peter
Academic year: 2019-2020
7. Bachelor degree Thesis. Microbiological and sensory analysis of Italian “ricotta” cheese stored in packaging from different European countries. Final Report of Bachelor’s degree in BIOSCIENCES AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, Curriculum: Biotechnology.
Candidate: Siyao Lu
University tutor: Prof. S. Silvi
Placement tutor: Dr. X. Huang
Academic Year: 2017-2018
8. Final Report of laboratory training experience Study of graphene oxide based composites and probiotic bacterial strains interaction.
Student Final Report - Shen Xiayu
Placement tutors: Dr. S. Silvi & X. Huang
Academic Year: 2018-2019
9. Final Report of laboratory training experience Probiotic strains as active component for PLA packaging.
Student Final Report - Li Xiang
Placement tutors: Dr. S. Silvi & X. Huang
Academic Year: 2018-2019
10. Final Reports of laboratory training experience Assessment of probiotic bacterial viability in the presence of graphene-based composites
Student Final Report - Siyao Xiao.
Placement tutors: Dr. S. Silvi & X. Huang
Academic Year: 2018-2019
11. Final Report of ERASMUS laboratory training experience: Probiotic strains as active component for novel packaging system
Student Final Report - Alba García Ruiz
Placement tutors: Dr. S. Silvi & X. Huang
Academic Year: 2018-2019

Scientific report for the National Agencies

      at the end of 2017
      at the end of 2018
      at the end of 2019
      at the end of 2020

Articles in brief in magazines

IDEAL
EPACKAGING
Proceso digital
Iresiduo
IDE
SER
Imballaggi, il grafene di Chiara Affronte. In: Il Salvagente, Numero 5, maggio 2020, pp. 68-73.
CRONACHE MACERATESI Italyl
LIBERO 24 X 7 Italia
PICCHIO NEWS Italia

Website

UTCN

UNICAM “Scienza e lode”

Patent applications

Patent / licence number	Partner(s) involved	Year	International, EU, national patent / licence
A/00328 from 12.06.2020	ALL P1-UTCN P2-CEPRO P3-UNICAM P4-SYN P5-NIC P6-ANDA	2020	National Romanian patent
EP20020299.2 from 25.06.2020	ALL P1-UTCN P2-CEPRO P3-UNICAM P4-SYN P5-NIC P6-ANDA	2020	EU (EPO)