52 Novel food packaging techniques Moisture Oxygen Moisture Oxyge (LDPE) EVOH A)Conventional packaging system Moisture o Microbial barrier barrier (B)Antimicrobial packa Fig. 4.1 Hurdle technology in antimicrobial packaging system compared to the conventional packaging system release antimicrobial agents but suppresses the growth of microorganisms at the contact surface. Immobilisation systems may be less effective in the case of solid foods compared to the liquid foods because there is less possibility for contact between the antimicrobial package and the whole food product 4.2 Antimicrobial agents There are many antimicrobial agents that exist and are widely used. To be able to use antimicrobial agents in the foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products the industry must follow the guidelines and regulations of the country that they se going to use them in, for example, FDA and/or EPA in the United States This implies that new antimicrobial packaging materials may be developed using only agents which are approved by the authorisation agencies as examples of FDA-approved or notified-to-use within the concentration limits for food safety enhancement or preservation. Various antimicrobial agents may be incorporated in the packaging system, which are chemical antimicrobial antioxidants, biotechnology products, antimicrobial polymers, natural antimicrobials and gas(Table 4.1) Chemical antimicrobial agents are the most common substances used in the industry. They include organic acids, fungicides, alcohols and antibioticsrelease antimicrobial agents but suppresses the growth of microorganisms at the contact surface. Immobilisation systems may be less effective in the case of solid foods compared to the liquid foods because there is less possibility for contact between the antimicrobial package and the whole food products. 4.2 Antimicrobial agents There are many antimicrobial agents that exist and are widely used. To be able to use antimicrobial agents in the foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products, the industry must follow the guidelines and regulations of the country that they are going to use them in, for example, FDA and/or EPA in the United States. This implies that new antimicrobial packaging materials may be developed using only agents which are approved by the authorisation agencies as examples of FDA-approved or notified-to-use within the concentration limits for food safety enhancement or preservation. Various antimicrobial agents may be incorporated in the packaging system, which are chemical antimicrobials, antioxidants, biotechnology products, antimicrobial polymers, natural antimicrobials and gas (Table 4.1). Chemical antimicrobial agents are the most common substances used in the industry. They include organic acids, fungicides, alcohols and antibiotics. Fig. 4.1 Hurdle technology in antimicrobial packaging system compared to the conventional packaging system. 52 Novel food packaging techniques