Bioactive packaging

Abstract

Provided herein are packaging materials that include a bioactive material, as well as methods of using and methods of making such bioactive packaging material.

1 . A packaging material comprising:
 an outer layer, wherein the outer layer is effectively impermeable to oxygen;   an inner layer, wherein the inner layer is effectively permeable to oxygen; and   a bioactive material, wherein in the bioactive material is located between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein the bioactive layer comprises at least one microorganism, and wherein the at least one microorganism is substantially in a metabolically quiescent state.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one microorganism comprises a living microorganism. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one microorganism comprises a bacterium or a yeast. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one microorganism is aerobic. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The packaging material of  claim 1  further comprising a matrix positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer, wherein the at least one microorganism is associated with the matrix. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging material of  claim 8 , wherein the matrix comprises at least one of a starch, a carbohydrate, a polynucleotide, a protein, or a synthetic polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging material of  claim 8 , wherein the matrix comprises at least one of a peptide, a casein peptone, a vitamin, or a trace element. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging material of  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer comprises at least one of a polymer film or an insert. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging material of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer, inner layer, or both the outer layer and the inner layer provide a rigid wall of the packaging material. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging material of  claim 1 , wherein the packaging material is in the shape of a storage container. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging material of  claim 13 , wherein the storage container is a food storage container. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The packaging material of  claim 13 , wherein the storage container is a bag. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging material of  claim 19 , wherein the bag is self sealing. 
     
     
         21 . A method of containing an item, the method comprising:
 providing a packaging material, the packaging material comprising:
 an outer layer, wherein the outer layer is effectively impermeable to oxygen; 
 an inner layer, wherein the inner layer is permeable to oxygen; and 
 a bioactive material, wherein in the bioactive material is located between the inner layer and the outer layer, and wherein the bioactive layer comprises at least one microorganism, wherein the at least one microorganism is substantially in a metabolically quiescent state; and 
   exposing an item to the packaging material, wherein a surface of the inner layer faces a surface of the item, thereby containing the item.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the inner layer is proximal to the item and the outer layer is distal to the item. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the item comprises a perishable food product. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the packaging material forms at least a part of a container. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein exposing the item to the packaging material comprises placing the item within the container. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising sealing the container with the item inside of the container to provide a sealed container, wherein when the item is within the sealed container, there is a headspace volume. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the headspace volume comprises a first percent of oxygen immediately after the container is sealed. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the headspace volume comprises a second percent of oxygen 2 hours after the container is sealed, wherein the second percent is less than the first percent. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein an amount of oxygen within the headspace volume passes through the inner layer to the bioactive layer, and wherein the amount of oxygen is exchanged with an amount of carbon dioxide by the at least one microorganism. 
     
     
         33 . A method of making a packaging material, the method comprising:
 providing an outer layer, wherein the outer layer is substantially impermeable to oxygen;
 providing a bioactive material, wherein providing a bioactive material comprises: providing at least one microorganism; and 
 inducing the at least one microorganism into a metabolically quiescent state; and 
   providing an inner layer, wherein the inner layer is permeable to oxygen, and wherein the bioactive material is positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer, thereby making a packaging material.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein providing a bioactive material further comprises:
 embedding the at least one microorganism in a matrix, thereby providing the bioactive material.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein embedding the at least one microorganism comprises combining the at least one microorganism and a matrix material and cross-linking, polymerizing, or both cross-linking and polymerizing the matrix material. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled)