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Applications of Polymers in Horticulture Food Packaging

Prem Lata Meena , Meenakshi Garg , Susmita Dey Sadhu*, Avinash

Horticulture produce includes fruits and vegetables, flowers, herbs, etc. but not cereals because it includes only crops with lesser shelf life, perishable nature and active metabolism. The post-harvest fruits and vegetables require special measures to ease the conveyance with preservation of nutritional value. By the introduction of packaging for transportation of perishable horticulture products from farms to consumers, reduces the wastage to one- fourth and save billions. Most of the packaging materials used are polymers because of its light weight, high strength, transparency and potential to be converted into any form. Due to the substantial availability and economical advantage of polymeric packaging material, they have reduced the cost of packaging. They are also highly recyclable and hence reduces the waste generation and prevent atmospheric pollution. Polymeric packaging has widely replaced traditional packaging materials such as wooden and corrugated paper boards. This has also led to a reduction in deforestation which again makes it an effort in the direction of a better world. With the advancement in research andtechnology in the fields of agriculture and packaging, many technologies have been developed such as MAP (modified atmosphere packaging), EMAP (equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging), CA(controlled atmosphere), micro-perforated films, particle films, biodegradable and edible packaging systems.