<OL> <LI> To develop materials and processes combining biopolymer materials with nonpolymer solids to produce packaging materials for oxygen and moisture sensitive products; <LI> To develop edible films from these materials; <LI> To develop an understanding of the process parameters to produce these polymer films for packaging.
The biopolymers will be developed by combining amorphous biopolymers having good barrier properties with crystalline biopolymers and/or particulate organic or inorganic solids that will improve processing. Films are to be produced by a variety of methods, including extruding and sintering.