Decision matrix for the selection of biodegradable active packaging materials with antimicrobial properties.

Abstract

This project seeks to propose a decision matrix of materials with potential for the manufacture of biodegradable active packaging to prevent contamination by pathogenic microorganisms in the cheese industries of Colombia by means of a search methodology adapted from Kitchenham and a decision matrix methodology. The results found in this review reveal that in Colombia there is a lack of knowledge about packaging alternatives that exist in other countries and are applied today to products such as cheeses that have a high risk of contamination and short shelf life with conventional packaging methods, therefore, it was identified that biodegradable active packaging is a viable packaging alternative because, it acts as a protective barrier between the external conditions and the food together with an antimicrobial solution that will act against certain pathogens. Thus, a decision matrix was built with 11 film materials and 2 coating materials that were adaptable to the physicochemical properties of five Colombian cheeses.