A Dream Comes True for Brazilian Packaging Expert in Germany

The jaboticaba tree trunk cherry is one of the most popular local fruits in Brazil, but is largely unknown in Germany. Brazilian chemical engineer Tuany Gabriela Hoffmann has discovered a lot about the possibilities of this plant, which she believes could also be useful for food packaging. At the University of Blumenau in Brazil, she developed an intelligent pH-sensitive film based on jaboticaba peel extract. This pH-sensitive film could be used for foods whose pH value shifts during the decomposition process – for example milk or fish.

Patent Pending in Brazil

In a further study, yerba mate extract was added to a biopolymer matrix. Yerba mate is a typical infusion drink in Brazil. The chlorophyll content of yerba mate is pH-sensitive, which is why it is suitable for use in intelligent pH-sensitive films. Hoffmann has filed a patent application for the mate film in Brazil and hopes that her research will be ready for the market. In the meantime, the 29-year-old has been researching for a year and a half as part of her doctoral thesis in the Packaging and Storage Group at the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) in Potsdam, where she is now focusing in particular on the storage and packaging of fruit and vegetables.

The aim of this working group is to develop an integrated system that combines sensors and mathematical models to optimize packaging and storage conditions for fruit and vegetables and extend their shelf life. Fruit and vegetables continue to breathe and transpire after harvest, consuming oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide, heat and water. To overcome this challenge and extend the shelf life of these agricultural products, refrigeration is usually used. "However, current cold storage facilities have a major problem as they are often oversized and operate at partial load, which leads to a considerable waste of energy. Hoffmann is currently working on a project called DyNatCool. This project is funded by the Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank and aims to optimize the cooling of apple storage facilities and reduce resource consumption and energy requirements.

Digital Twin

In principle, refrigeration is a well-known preservation technique, but other technologies can also be used to further improve food preservation. The integration of advanced monitoring and control systems in conjunction with data analysis offers "a revolutionary approach to precise energy management", says Hoffmann. At the heart of this development is the concept of the digital twin, which serves as an intelligent process monitoring and control tool and promotes sustainable energy and quality management in the industry," explains Hoffmann. Incorporating real-time data into the dynamic control of cold stores holds great promise for data-driven improvements that will transform post-harvest management and enable a more sustainable and efficient food supply chain.

The new Fruity-Twin project, which Hoffmann is a research member, is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and has the goal to improve overall storage practices and enhance the sustainability of the fresh produce supply chain through a real-time data-driven approach.

Hoffmann is delighted that she now works with apples from Lake Constance rather than fruit from Brazil – for very personal reasons: "It has always been a dream of mine to work in Germany. It is a dream that is closely linked to my family's heritage. My ancestors have roots in Germany, and I have always been fascinated by the rich culture and history, some of which is also present in my native city of Blumenau in Brazil, which was founded by German immigrants."

Another of her personal goals is to motivate young women to take up technical and scientific subjects and professions. Young women need more female role models in management positions, says Hoffmann. "It is crucial for the future of the packaging industry to recognize the potential and extraordinary contribution of women. I firmly believe that promoting diversity and inclusion is not only a moral imperative, but also a strategic advantage that drives innovation and uccess," she says.