A comprehensive review on the properties and functionalities of biodegradable and semibiodegradable food packaging materials

Creation of fully degradable and mechanically robust poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) films by filling modified starch

Chemically synthesized poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) (P4HB) is a new generation of biomass-derived and degradable semi-crystalline polymer with good comprehensive properties, but high costs limit its application. Starch, as an inexpensive natural polymer, can reduce the cost of P4HB products. However, starch lacks thermoplastic behavior and has poor compatibility with P4HB, thus its extensive use will inevitably impair the mechanical properties of P4HB. In this study, the ball-milling starch grafting process is adopted, which can simultaneously solve the two major deficiencies of starch, and the prepared ball-milling starch-g-polycaprolactone (BSt-g-PCL) has thermoplasticity and better compatibility with P4HB. BSt-g-PCL can melt near 55 °C, and the interweaving of its molecular chains with P4HB reduces the binding energy (Einteraction) of both, making the phase interface blurred or even disappear. Therefore, the elongation at break retention (REB) of P4HB/BSt-g-PCL can increase from 37.1 % to 74.3 % compared to P4HB/starch at the same filling (70 Phr). Additionally, BSt-g-PCL can exert the effect of accelerating P4HB degradation and still make it maintain excellent anti-aging ability. The ball-milling starch graft process provides a simple and effective method for the preparation of inexpensive fully biodegradable P4HB composite films with excellent mechanical properties.

Progress in food packaging applications of biopolymer-nanometal composites - A comprehensive review

Eco-friendly nanotechnology-enabled biopolymers are one of the novel concepts of packaging materials to substitute traditional synthetic polymers and their composites. This article succinctly reviews the recent developments of introducing additional functionalities to biopolymers using metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. The functionality of metal nanoparticles such as silver, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, copper oxide, gold, and magnesium oxide, as food packaging materials were discussed. The addition of nanoparticles in biopolymers improves mechanical properties, gas barrier properties, durability, temperature stability, moisture stability, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant property, and UV absorbance and can prevent the presence of ethylene and oxygen, hence extending the shelf life of foodstuffs. Other than this, the functional activity of these biopolymer composite films helps them to act like smart or intelligent packaging. The selection of metal nanoparticles, particle migration, toxicological effect, and potential future scope in the food packaging industry are also reviewed.

Recent advances in sago (Metroxylon sagu) fibres, biopolymers, biocomposites, and their prospective applications in industry: A comprehensive review

Escalating petroleum depletion and environmental crises linked to conventional plastics have fueled interest in eco-friendly alternatives. Natural fibres and biopolymers are garnering increasing attention due to their sustainability. The sago palm (Metroxylon sagu), a tropical tree, holds potential for such materials, with cellulose-rich fibres (42.4-44.12 %) showcasing strong mechanics. Extracted sago palm starch can be blended, reinforced, or plasticised for improved traits. However, a comprehensive review of sago palm fibres, starch, and biocomposites is notably absent. This paper fills this void, meticulously assessing recent advancements in sago palm fibre, cellulose and starch properties, and their eco-friendly composite fabrication. Moreover, it uncovers the latent prospects of sago palm fibres and biopolymers across industries like automotive, packaging, and bioenergy. This review presents a crucial resource for envisaging and realising sustainable materials.

Determination of the Mass Fractions of the Heavy Metals in the Recycled Cellulose Pulp

In the process of paper recycling, certain amounts of metals can be found in the cellulose suspension, the source of which is mainly printing inks. The paper industry often uses different technologies to reduce heavy metal emissions. The recycling of laminated packaging contributes to the formation of sticky particles, which affects the concentration of heavy metals. This study aimed to determine the mass fraction of metals in the different phases of the deinking process to optimize the cellulose pulp's quality and design healthy correct packaging products. In this research, the deinking flotation of laminated and non-laminated samples was carried out by the Ingede 11 method. As a result of the study, the mass fractions of metals in cellulose pulp were divided into four groups according to the mass fraction's increasing value and the metals' increasing electronegativity. The quantities of metals were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The separation of metals from cellulose pulp is influenced by the presence of adhesives and the electronegativity of the metal. The results of the study show that the recycling process removes certain heavy metals very well, which indicates the good recycling potential of pharmaceutical cardboard samples.

Transparent biodegradable composite plastic packaging film from TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers

In this research, we develop a method to create biodegradable food packaging films. Initially, TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF) undergoes sonication to produce well-dispersed single-strain nanofibers. These nanofibers are then blended with waterborne polyurethane (WPU) to enhance their extensibility. To further enhance compatibility between these two components, a non-ionic surfactant, Tween 80, is introduced into the TOCNF/WPU mixture to improve the dispersion of the WPU within the blend. The addition of Tween 80 significantly increases the transparency of the resulting film (Transmittance: 89.4 %, Haze: 2.2 %). Furthermore, the incorporation of the surfactant effectively reduces the formation of wrinkles and cracks during the film drying process, preventing adverse impacts on the film's barrier properties. The thin film further undergoes esterification crosslinking with citric acid to remove its hydrophilic groups for better water vapor barrier properties. The resulting bio-based packaging film exhibits remarkable transparency, strong biodegradability, and superior gas-barrier properties (water vapor and oxygen) compared to commonly used food packaging.

Biodegradable bio-film based on Cordyceps militaris and metal-organic frameworks for fruit preservation

In this study, Cordyceps militaris matrix was employed for the first time to fabricate a biodegradable food packaging. Carmine and Ag@CuBTC were introduced to cross-link with mycelium and were uniformly dispersed within the matrix to enhance the water resistance, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of the bio-films. The bio-film displayed high biodegradability, with nearly 100 % degradation achieved after three weeks. The bio-film exhibited exceptional resistance to oxidation (49.30 % DPPH and 93.94 % ABTS•+), as well as effective inhibitory capabilities against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The composite film maintained a high CO2/O2 selective permeability, which was advantageous for mitigating fruit metabolism and extending shelf life. Simultaneously, food preservation experiments confirmed that these bio-films can decelerate the spoilage of fruits and effectively prolong the shelf-life of food. The experimental findings indicated that the prepared Bio-R-Ag@Cu film held promise as an environmentally friendly biodegradable material for food packaging.

Recent advances in plant-based polysaccharide ternary complexes for biodegradable packaging

Polysaccharide-based packaging has been directed toward the development of technologies for the generation of packaging with biodegradable materials that can serve as substitutes for conventional packaging. Polysaccharides are reliable sources of edible packaging materials with excellent renewability, biodegradability, and bio-compatibility as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Apart from these properties, packaging film developed from a single polysaccharide has various disadvantages due to undesirable properties. Thus, to overcome these problems, researchers focused on ternary blend-based bio-packaging instead of the primary and binary complex to improve their characteristics and properties. The review emphasizes the extraction of polysaccharides and their combination with other polymers to provide desirable characteristics and physico-mechanical properties of the biodegradable film which will upgrade the green packaging technology in the future generation This review also explores the advancement of ternary blend-based biodegradable film and their application in foods with different requirements and the future aspects for developing advanced biodegradable film. Moreover, the review concludes that cellulose, modified starch, and another plant-based polysaccharide film mostly provides good gas barrier property and better tensile strength, which can be used as a safeguard of perishable and semi-perishable foods which brings them closer to replacing commercial synthetic packaging.

Towards Less Plastic in Food Contact Materials: An In-Depth Overview of the Belgian Market

The food contact materials (FCMs) industry is forced to develop substitute materials due to constant pressure from consumers and authorities to reduce fossil-based plastic. Several alternatives are available on the market. However, market share, trends, and consumer preferences are still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to provide an overview of the Belgian FCMs market, the available substitute materials, and their uses. The market analysis was performed with an integrated web-based approach. Fifty-two sources were investigated, covering e-shops selling materials intended to replace disposable plastic materials or being advertised as environmentally friendly and websites describing homemade FCMs. The first screening identified 10,523 articles. The following data cleaning process resulted in a homogeneous dataset containing 2688 unique entries, systematically categorised into fifteen material categories and seven utilisation classes. Paper and board was the most popular material category (i.e., 37% of the entries), followed by bagasse, accounting for 9% of the entries. Takeaway and food serving (44.4% and 22.8% of the entries) were the most common usage categories. The study pursued to provide insights into current trends and consumer preferences, highlighting priorities for safety assessment and future policy making.

Investigation of critical properties of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) peel and bagasse as starch-rich fibrous agro-industrial wastes for biodegradable food packaging

Cassava peel and bagasse are fibrous, starch-rich agro-industrial wastes, which cause severe environmental impacts upon their disposal. However, these can be raw materials for biodegradable food packaging. In this study, their morphological, chemical, thermal properties, crystalline phases, and chemical compositions were investigated, and potential utilisation as alternative biodegradable food packaging matrices has been assessed. Residual starches in cassava peel and bagasse were morphologically similar with that of commercial cassava starch, whereas potassium (8570 ± 56 mg/kg), and calcium (5300 ± 147 mg/kg) were highly abounded in peel and bagasse respectively. The major crystalline phase, α-amylose dihydrate, for cassava peel (97.1 (2) %) and bagasse (99.0 (3) %) point towards the presence of starch. Calcium and silicon reported to be in crystalline phases respectively, in the forms of quartz and whewellite. These beneficial characteristics suggested the potential valorisation of cassava peel and bagasse with special interest as matrices for biodegradable food packaging.

Trends in Bioactive Multilayer Films: Perspectives in the Use of Polysaccharides, Proteins, and Carbohydrates with Natural Additives for Application in Food Packaging

The harmful effects on the environment caused by the indiscriminate use of synthetic plastics and the inadequate management of post-consumer waste have given rise to efforts to redirect this consumption to bio-based economic models. In this sense, using biopolymers to produce materials is a reality for food packaging companies searching for technologies that allow these materials to compete with those from synthetic sources. This review paper focused on the recent trends in multilayer films with the perspective of using biopolymers and natural additives for application in food packaging. Firstly, the recent developments in the area were presented concisely. Then, the main biopolymers used (gelatin, chitosan, zein, polylactic acid) and main methods for multilayer film preparation were discussed, including the layer-by-layer, casting, compression, extrusion, and electrospinning methods. Furthermore, we highlighted the bioactive compounds and how they are inserted in the multilayer systems to form active biopolymeric food packaging. Furthermore, the advantages and drawbacks of multilayer packaging development are also discussed. Finally, the main trends and challenges in using multilayer systems are presented. Therefore, this review aims to bring updated information in an innovative approach to current research on food packaging materials, focusing on sustainable resources such as biopolymers and natural additives. In addition, it proposes viable production routes for improving the market competitiveness of biopolymer materials against synthetic materials.

Insights into the Edible and Biodegradable Ulvan-Based Films and Coatings for Food Packaging

Recently, edible films or coatings that are made from algal polysaccharides have become promising candidates for replacing plastic-based packaging materials for food storage due to their non-toxic, biodegradable, biocompatible, and bioactive characteristics. Ulvan, a significant biopolymer with unique functional properties derived from marine green algae, has been extensively used in various sectors. However, there are fewer commercial applications of this sugar in the food packaging industry compared to many other algae-derived polysaccharides, such as alginates, carrageenan, and agar. This article aims to review the unparalleled chemical composition/structure and physiochemical properties of ulvan and the latest developments in ulvan-based edible films and coatings, thus highlighting their potential applications in the food packaging industry.

Development and characterization of starch‑sodium alginate-montmorillonite biodegradable antibacterial films

The biodegradable antibacterial composite film blended with starch and sodium alginate was developed by solution casting method, using montmorillonite as the fortifier and star anise oil as the bacteriostat. Infrared analysis showed that montmorillonite and star anise oil were successfully incorporated into starch and sodium alginate to form a stable composite film. The addition of 6 wt% montmorillonite could enhance several properties of the films, including barrier properties, optical properties, thermal stability and mechanical properties. Meanwhile, the incorporation of star anise oil made the composite films have antibacterial properties to resist E. coli. Packing cherry tomatoes with starch‑sodium alginate-montmorillonite-star anise oil composite film could reduce the weight loss rate and decay rate of fresh cherry tomatoes. Soil burial experiments showed that the composite films exhibited a continuous biodegradation process. The starch‑sodium alginate-montmorillonite-star anise oil films decomposed into little pieces and were completely mixed in the soil within 22 days, which offered an application foreground for the development of biodegradable food packaging film with bacteriostatic activity.

Development and characterization of active starch-based films incorporating graphene/polydopamine/Cu2+ nanocomposite fillers

With increasing environmental awareness and food safety concern worldwide, biodegradable active food packaging gained wide attention in recent years. Starch has been regarded as one of the most potential biomaterials to produce biodegradable films. However, relatively poor functional performance of starch-based films severely limits their application as food packaging materials. Carbon-based fillers can be used to enhance the functional attributes of starch-based films, but they are often difficult to incorporate because of their poor matrix dispersibility. In this study, we developed a simple green method to improve the dispersity of graphene in starch-based films by modifying the graphene surfaces using mussel-inspired polydopamine and copper ions. Spectroscopy and morphology analyses showed the surface of graphene was successfully modified. The addition of the nanocomposites positively influenced the microstructure of the starch-based films, as well as impacting their mechanical, barrier, and thermal properties. Additionally, the composite films exhibited antibacterial activity against food borne pathogens, suggesting promising potential of the films acting as active food packaging. Overall, the method developed in this study has the potential for optimizing and endowing extra properties of starch-based films so as to increase their application in biodegradable food packaging.

Investigation of Morphological, Chemical, and Thermal Properties of Biodegradable Food Packaging Films Synthesised by Direct Utilisation of Cassava (Monihot esculanta) Bagasse

The utilisation of edible sources of starch such as corn, wheat, potato, and cassava has become the common approach to develop biodegradable food packaging. However, the future food security issue from the wide application of such edible starch sources has become a major concern. Consequently, exploring non-edible sources of starch for starch-based biodegradable food packaging and their property enhancement have become one of the common research interests. Although there has been a great potentials of synthesising biodegradable food packaging by direct utilisation of agro-industrial waste cassava bagasse, there have been very limited studies on this. In this context, the current study investigated the potential of developing biodegradable food packaging by directly using cassava bagasse as an alternative matrix. Two film-forming mixtures were prepared by incorporating glycerol (30% and 35%), powdered cassava bagasse and water. The films were hot-pressed at 60 °C, 100 °C, and 140 °C temperatures under 0.28 t pressure for 6 min. The best film-forming mixture and temperature combination was further tested with 0.42 t and 0.84 t pressures, followed by analysing their morphology, functional group availability and the thermal stability. Accordingly, application of 35% glycerol, with 100 °C, 0.42 t temperature and pressure, respectively, were found to be promising for film preparation. The absence of starch agglomerates in film surfaces with less defects suggested satisfactory dispersion and compatibility of starch granules and glycerol. The film prepared under 0.42 t exhibited slightly higher thermal stability. Synthesised prototypes of food packaging and the obtained characterisation results demonstrated the high feasibility of direct utilisation of cassava bagasse as an alternative, non-edible matrix to synthesise biodegradable food packaging.

Promoting adsorption performance and mechanical strength in composite porous gel film

Starch is widely used to prepare biodegradable films due to its superior biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and renewability. In this work, a novel K⁺/carrageenan porous-starch/casein gel film with high oil absorption was prepared using modified porous starch. Optimal gel stability and uniformity were obtained when adding 10 mg/mL k-carrageenan and 2 mg/mL K⁺ to 2 mg/mL microgels, with significantly reduced crystallinity and elasticity and increased tensile strength. The concentration of k-carrageenan was the main factor affecting gel strength and the hydrophilic and mechanical properties of the film. In addition, the film-forming solution showed excellent fluidity and spreading typical of non-Newtonian fluids. The film also exhibited a highly porous structure, as visualized by SEM and AFM, in line with a cumulative oil absorption rate of 87.5 % within 20 min, which was significantly higher than that obtained with glutinous rice starch. In conclusion, reinforcement of starch-based microgels as described in this study can maximize the film's adsorption performance and mechanical properties, with promising applications in skin care and beauty products.

High-performance carboxymethyl cellulose-based hydrogel film for food packaging and preservation system

Most traditional food packaging and preservation films suffer from limited stretchability and relatively simple functionality, which severely restricts their practical application. In this study, a highly stretchable and versatile sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/poly(ethylene imine) (PEI)/tannic acid (TA) hydrogel film was elaborately designed and demonstrated as an efficient food packaging and preservation system. The dynamic reversible non-covalent within three-dimensional (3D) network structures served as sacrificial bonds to dissipate the loaded energy and endowed the hydrogel film with excellent elongation ~400 %, which is much larger than that of conventional food packaging films (<50 %). Furthermore, the optimized CMC/PVA/PEI/TA₃ hydrogel film delivers versatile performances, including self-healing, whole UV-blocking (<400 nm), strong adhesive strength (234.08 KPa), antioxidation virtues, oxygen barrier (32.64 cm³*μm/(m²*d*KPa)) and water vapor barrier (642.92 g/(m²*24 h)). Notably, the shelf life of fresh strawberries, mangoes, and cherries was prolonged by at least one week under ambient conditions when the packaging box was covered by the fabricated CMC/PVA/PEI/TA₃ film. Thus, our work not only provides a highly stretchable and versatile hydrogel film but also boosts the in-depth comprehension and rational design of robust food packaging and preservation films.

Trends and challenges in the development of bio-based barrier coating materials for paper/cardboard food packaging; a review

Currently, petroleum-based synthetic plastics are used as a key barrier material in the paper-based packaging of several food and nonfood goods. This widespread usage of plastic as a barrier lining is not only harmful to human and marine health, but it is also polluting the ecosystem. Researchers and food manufacturers are focused on biobased alternatives because of its numerous advantages, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and structural flexibility. When used alone or in composites/multilayers, these biobased alternatives provide strong barrier qualities against grease, oxygen, microbes, air, and water. According to the most recent literature reports, biobased polymers for barrier coatings are having difficulty breaking into the business. Technological breakthroughs in the field of bioplastic production and application are rapidly evolving, proffering new options for academics and industry to collaborate and develop sustainable packaging solutions. Existing techniques, such as multilayer coating of nanocomposites, can be improved further by designing them in a more systematic manner to attain the best barrier qualities. Modified nanocellulose, lignin nanoparticles, and bio-polyester are among the most promising future candidates for nanocomposite-based packaging films with high barrier qualities. In this review, the state-of-art and research advancements made in biobased polymeric alternatives such as paper and board barrier coating are summarized. Finally, the existing limitations and potential future development prospects for these biobased polymers as barrier materials are reviewed.

Wheat Flour-Based Edible Films: Effect of Gluten on the Rheological Properties, Structure, and Film Characteristics

This work investigates the structure, rheological properties, and film performance of wheat flour hydrocolloids and their comparison with that of a wheat starch (WS)-gluten blend system. The incorporation of gluten could decrease inter-chain hydrogen bonding of starch, thereby reducing the viscosity and solid-like behavior of the film-forming solution and improving the frequency-dependence, but reducing the surface smoothness, compactness, water vapor barrier performance, and mechanical properties of the films. However, good compatibility between starch and gluten could improve the density of self-similar structure, the processability of the film-forming solution, and film performance. The films based on wheat flours showed a denser film structure, better mechanical properties, and thermal stability that was no worse than that based on WS-gluten blends. The knowledge gained from this study could provide guidance to the development of other flour-based edible packaging materials, thereby promoting energy conservation and environmental protection.

Extraction and Characterization of Antioxidant Compounds in Almond (Prunus amygdalus) Shell Residues for Food Packaging Applications

This work proposes the revalorization of almond shell (AS) wastes as an active additive for food packaging applications. A new microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method to obtain extracts rich in polyphenolic compounds with high antioxidant capacity was optimized. An experimental design to optimize the MAE procedure through response surface methodology (RSM) using a Box-Behnken design was proposed. The effects of extraction temperature, irradiation time, ethanol:water concentration, and solvent pH at three levels were evaluated in terms of total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity (DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays). The optimal conditions found were 57 min, 80 °C, pH 8, and 70% (v/v) ethanol. Optimized MAE extracts showed low soluble protein content (0.43 mg BSA g^-1) and were rich in TPC (5.64 mg GAE g^-1), flavonoids (1.42 mg CE g^-1), and polysaccharides (1.59 mg glucose g^-1), with good antioxidant capacity (2.82 mg AAE acid g^-1). These results suggest the potential application of these extracts in the food industry as active additives. This strategy opens new pathways to valorize almond shell residues, contributing to the circular economy.

Riboflavin as a Biodegradable Functional Additive for Thermoplastic Polymers

With continuous development of biodegradable polymers, new areas of applications are intensively researched. Modifications of these polymers are commonly conducted by an extrusion compounding process. While additives are changing desired properties, biodegradability of such composites can be deteriorated. The aim of the work is to investigate a novel, functional, organic additive, riboflavin (vitamin B-2), in terms of thermal stability, extrusion processability, wettability, surface energy, especially biodegradability, and when compounded with PLA. Additionally, a comparison of unmodified PLA resin, as well as PLA-modified with inorganic talc—which is known for its nucleation promotion in a variety of polymers—to PLA with riboflavin, was presented. Research reveals the outstanding thermal stability of riboflavin and the sufficient extrusion process properties with no significant changes of wettability and, surprisingly, a significant degradation rate as compared to pure PLA or and PLA with talc. The obtained results do not exclude further modifications of PLA depending on the target application, e.g., antimicrobial agents, flame retardants, etc.