Synergistic effect of natural clinoptilolite with non‐lethal repellents in anti‐rodent dry food packaging

Rodents cause enormous damage to stored foods. Anticoagulant rodenticides used to eliminate rodents cannot be used in food packaging because they are toxic to humans. In this study, the use of various non‐lethal repellents and natural clinoptilolite in food packaging has been investigated. For this, capsicum oleoresin was used because of the burning sensation created by the mammals' mouths. Denatonium benzoate and denatonium saccharide were used because of their extremely bitter taste. Finally, natural clinoptilolite was used to absorb the smell of foods, and its synergistic effect was observed with repellents. The additives were mixed with polypropylene carrier and converted into anti‐rodent masterbatches in a laboratory‐type extruder. Then, packaging films were prepared by a cast film extruder. These films were used for the packaging of mouse foods in pellet form with the aid of a heat‐seal tester. In experiments on house mice (Mus musculus), a mixture of repellent additives capsicum oleoresin, denatonium benzoate, denatonium saccharide and odour‐absorbing natural clinoptilolite showed 100% repellency synergistically. Packaging films with polypropylene carrier were prepared by mixing with non‐lethal repellents and clinoptilolite. These films were used for the packaging of mouse foods in pellet form with the aid of a heat‐seal tester. In experiments on house mouse (Mus musculus), a mixture of repellent additives capsicum oleoresin, denatonium benzoate, denatonium saccharide, and odour‐absorbing natural clinoptilolite showed 100% repellency synergistically.