Percepção do consumidor quanto à aceitabilidade de embalagens comestíveis nanoestruturadas em alimentos

Abstract

Packaging plays an important role in the maintenance and determination of the quality and shelf life of food. There is increasing development of biodegradable polymer and edible packaging considering environmental concerns. Nanotechnology opportunities the generation and developing of edible films due to their mechanical properties, barrier and antimicrobial improvement. Resistance to innovation is largely influenced as much by perception of risk as by consumers' level of knowledge about the new technology, matters which affect the acceptability of new products and can cause resistance by the consumer attitudes. Despite the application of nanotechnology by the food industry, it could occurs the rejection by the consumer because the perception of the possible human health and environmental risks. Consumer has revealed important role in the consolidation of these technologies through the judgment and acceptance of new products, determining therefore its success or commercial failure. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate consumer perceptions regarding the acceptability of edible packaging nanostructured based on chitosan by consumers in the city of Recife (PE). The study presented in article 1 the consumer perceptions regarding the acceptability of edible packaging nanostructured from a Survey questionnaire with 5-point Likert scale performed with 361 consumers. The effects of sociodemographic variables on consumers' perceptions were analyzed using nonparametric tests (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, Kruskal Wallis and Gamma of Goodman-Kruskal). The purchase intention was evaluated considering the effect of perceptions of benefits and risks on consumer attitudes (Wilcoxon test) at 95% confidence. Variables such as age, education and income caused varying effects with respect to perceptions of risks and benefits. Results demonstrated that consumers, while having little knowledge of nanotechnology, have shown great interest in the use of this new technology in the development of food packaging. Benefits of perceptions showed significant effect (p <0.05) acceptance and purchase of food products and packaging with nanotechnology use compared to the risk perceptions. Article 2 presents the study of nanotechnology acceptance through focus group conducted with eight (8) individuals in two different modes driving the focus groups according to exposure benefits and risks of nanotechnology in food and food packaging. Data obtained from focus group method were analysed from the thematic-categorical content analysis of transcribed speech of respondents. Results obtained in focus group discussions showed a complex web of parameters involved with the acceptance of edible packaging using nanotechnology, how perceptions of risks and benefits, concerns about the effects of nanoparticles on living organisms and the environment , confidence in the different stakeholders involved in the development of science and new technologies. In both studies, communication and information about nanotechnology have been identified as important factor for the acquisition and willingness-to-pay for food products coated with nanostructured edible packaging.