Strategies to Improve the Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Pectin Films for Food Packaging: Comparing Nanocomposites with Bilayers

Water Repellent Coating in Textile, Paper and Bioplastic Polymers: A Comprehensive Review

Water-repellent coatings are essential for enhancing the durability and sustainability of textiles, paper, and bioplastic polymers. Despite the growing use of sustainable materials, their inherent hydrophilicity presents significant challenges. This review explores advanced coating technologies to address these issues, focusing on their mechanisms, properties, and applications. By imparting water resistance and repellency, these coatings improve material performance and longevity. The environmental impact and limitations of current coatings are critically assessed, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions. This review identifies key trends and challenges, offering insights into developing water-resistant materials that align with environmental goals while meeting industry demands. Key focus areas include coating mechanisms, techniques, performance evaluation, applications, environmental impact assessment, and the development of sustainable coating solutions. This research contributes to the development of water-resistant materials that meet the demands of modern industries while minimizing environmental impact.

Pectin-based cinnamon essential oil Pickering emulsion film with two-sided differential wettability: A major role in the spatial distribution of microdroplets

Pickering emulsions have attracted much attention as a novel emulsifying technology. This research to explore Zein-Citrus pectin nanoparticles stabilized cinnamon essential oil (CEO) Pickering emulsion (ZCCPEs) for constructing Pickering emulsion edible film (PEF). Unlike traditional research, which focuses on antibacterial and antioxidant activities, our research examined the physical properties of PEF, specifically changes in wettability. The results show that PEF has better transparency and tensile strength than the pectin alone direct emulsion film (PAEF), and the spatial distribution of Pickering emulsion droplets gives different wettability on both sides of PEF. The partially hydrophobic upside has important application value in food packaging. At the same time, the PEF is biodegradable and environmentally non-polluting. The edible film loaded with essential oils, developed based on the Pickering stabilization mechanism in this study, possesses several desirable characteristics for potential used as bioactive packaging films in food applications.

Sources and Extraction of Biopolymers and Manufacturing of Bio-Based Nanocomposites for Different Applications

In the recent era, bio-nanocomposites represent an emerging group of nanostructured hybrid materials and have been included in a new field at the frontier of materials science, life sciences, and nanotechnology. These biohybrid materials reveal developed structural and functional features of great attention for diverse uses. These materials take advantage of the synergistic assembling of biopolymers with nanometer-sized reinforcements. Conversely, polysaccharides have received great attention due to their several biological properties like antimicrobial and antioxidant performance. They mainly originated in different parts of plants, animals, seaweed, and microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and yeasts). Polysaccharide-based nanocomposites have great features, like developed physical, structural, and functional features; affordability; biodegradability; and biocompatibility. These bio-based nanocomposites have been applied in biomedical, water treatment, food industries, etc. This paper will focus on the very recent trends in bio-nanocomposite based on polysaccharides for diverse applications. Sources and extraction methods of polysaccharides and preparation methods of their nanocomposites will be discussed.

Nanofillers in Novel Food Packaging Systems and Their Toxicity Issues

Background: Environmental concerns about petroleum-based plastic packaging materials and the growing demand for food have inspired researchers and the food industry to develop food packaging with better food preservation and biodegradability. Nanocomposites consisting of nanofillers, and synthetic/biopolymers can be applied to improve the physiochemical and antimicrobial properties and sustainability of food packaging. Scope and approach: This review summarized the recent advances in nanofiller and their applications in improved food packaging systems (e.g., nanoclay, carbon nanotubes), active food packaging (e.g., silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs)), intelligent food packaging, and degradable packaging (e.g., titanium dioxide nanoparticles (e.g., TiO2 NPs)). Additionally, the migration processes and related assessment methods for nanofillers were considered, as well as the use of nanofillers to reduce migration. The potential cytotoxicity and ecotoxicity of nanofillers were also reviewed. Key findings: The incorporation of nanofillers may increase Young's modulus (YM) while decreasing the elongation at break (EAB) (y = -1.55x + 1.38, R2 = 0.128, r = -0.358, p = 0.018) and decreasing the water vapor (WVP) and oxygen permeability (OP) (y = 0.30x - 0.57, R2 = 0.039, r = 0.197, p = 0.065). Meanwhile, the addition of metal-based NPs could also extend the shelf-life of food products by lowering lipid oxidation by an average of approx. 350.74% and weight loss by approx. 28.39% during the longest storage period, and significantly increasing antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus compared to the neat polymer films (p = 0.034). Moreover, the migration process of nanofillers may be negligible but still requires further research. Additionally, the ecotoxicity of nanofillers is unclear, as the final distribution of nanocomposites in the environment is unknown. Conclusions: Nanotechnology helps to overcome the challenges associated with traditional packaging materials. Strong regulatory frameworks and safety standards are needed to ensure the appropriate use of nanocomposites. There is also a need to explore how to realize the economic and technical requirements for large-scale implementation of nanocomposite technologies.

Tailoring Pectin-PLA Bilayer Film for Optimal Properties as a Food Pouch Material

This study focuses on developing a biodegradable film using a novel hybrid citrus peel pectin. A bilayer approach with PLA was proposed and optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to complement pectin films' mechanical and barrier property limitations. The optimized film composition (2.90 g PLA and 1.96 g pectin) showed enhanced mechanical strength with a tensile strength (TS) of 7.04 MPa and an elongation at break (EAB) of 462.63%. In addition, it demonstrated lower water vapor (1.45 × 10-10 g/msPa), oxygen (2.79 × 10-7 g/ms) permeability, and solubility (23.53%). Compared to single-layer pectin films, the optimized bilayer film had a 25% increased thickness, significantly improved water barrier (3806 times lower) and oxygen barrier (3.68 times lower) properties, and 22.38 times higher stretchability, attributed to hydrogen bond formation, as confirmed by FTIR analysis. The bilayer film, effectively protected against UV and visible light, could be a barrier against light-induced lipid oxidation. Moreover, it demonstrated superior seal efficiency, ensuring secure sealing in practical applications. The bilayer pouch containing mustard dressing exhibited stable sealing with no leakage after immersion in hot water and ethanol, making it suitable for secure food pouch packaging.

Polysaccharides and proteins based bionanocomposites as smart packaging materials: From fabrication to food packaging applications a review

Food industry is the biggest and rapidly growing industries all over the world. This sector consumes around 40 % of the total plastic produced worldwide as packaging material. The conventional packaging material is mainly petrochemical based. However, these petrochemical based materials impose serious concerns towards environment after its disposal as they are nondegradable. Thus, in search of an appropriate replacement for conventional plastics, biopolymers such as polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, chitosan, natural gums, etc.), proteins (gelatin, collagen, soy protein, etc.), and fatty acids find as an option but again limited by its inherent properties. Attention on the initiatives towards the development of more sustainable, useful, and biodegradable packaging materials, leading the way towards a new and revolutionary green era in the food sector. Eco-friendly packaging materials are now growing dramatically, at a pace of about 10-20 % annually. The recombination of biopolymers and nanomaterials through intercalation composite technology at the nanoscale demonstrated some mesmerizing characteristics pertaining to both biopolymer and nanomaterials such as rigidity, thermal stability, sensing and bioactive property inherent to nanomaterials as well as biopolymers properties such as flexibility, processability and biodegradability. The dramatic increase of scientific research in the last one decade in the area of bionanocomposites in food packaging had reflected its potential as a much-required and important alternative to conventional petroleum-based material. This review presents a comprehensive overview on the importance and recent advances in the field of bionanocomposite and its application in food packaging. Different methods for the fabrication of bionanocomposite are also discussed briefly. Finally, a clear perspective and future prospects of bionanocomposites in food packaging were presented.

Use of Chitosan-Based Polyelectrolyte Complexes for Its Potential Application in Active Food Packaging: A Review of Recent Literature

The current challenges in the food packaging field are, on one side, replacing plastic from non-renewable sources with biopolymers and, on the other hand, generating a packaging material with attractive properties for the consumer. Currently, the consumer is ecologically concerned; the food packaging industry must think ahead to satisfy their needs. In this context, the utilization of polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) in this industry presents itself as an excellent candidate for fulfilling these requirements. PECs possess enticing characteristics such as encapsulation, protection, and transportation, among others. On the other hand, diverse types of biopolymers have been used in the formation of PECs, such as alginate, cellulose, gelatin, collagen, and so on. Hence, this paper reviews the use of PECs in food packaging where chitosan forms polyelectrolyte complexes.

Current Applications of Bionanocomposites in Food Processing and Packaging

Nanotechnology advances are rapidly spreading through the food science field; however, their major application has been focused on the development of novel packaging materials reinforced with nanoparticles. Bionanocomposites are formed with a bio-based polymeric material incorporated with components at a nanoscale size. These bionanocomposites can also be applied to preparing an encapsulation system aimed at the controlled release of active compounds, which is more related to the development of novel ingredients in the food science and technology field. The fast development of this knowledge is driven by consumer demand for more natural and environmentally friendly products, which explains the preference for biodegradable materials and additives obtained from natural sources. In this review, the latest developments of bionanocomposites for food processing (encapsulation technology) and food packaging applications are gathered.

Opuntia spp.: An Overview of the Bioactive Profile and Food Applications of This Versatile Crop Adapted to Arid Lands

Opuntia spp. are crops well adapted to adverse environments and have great economic potential. Their constituents, including fruits, cladodes, and flowers, have a high nutritional value and are rich in value-added compounds. Cladodes have an appreciable content in dietary fiber, as well as bioactive compounds such as kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin. Fruits are a major source of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids and vitamin C. The seeds are mainly composed of unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. The flowers are also rich in phenolic compounds. Therefore, in addition to their traditional uses, the different plant fractions can be processed to meet multiple applications in the food industry. Several bakery products have been developed with the incorporation of cladode flour. Pectin and mucilage obtained from cladodes can act as edible films and coatings. Fruits, fruit extracts, and fruit by-products have been mixed into food products, increasing their antioxidant capacity and extending their shelf life. Betalains, obtained from fruits, can be used as food colorants and demonstrate promising applications as a sensor in food packaging. This work reviews the most valuable components of the different fractions of this plant and emphasizes its most recent food applications, demonstrating its outstanding value.

Sustainable and Bio-Based Food Packaging: A Review on Past and Current Design Innovations

Food loss and waste occur for many reasons, from crop processing to household leftovers. Even though some waste generation is unavoidable, a considerable amount is due to supply chain inefficiencies and damage during transport and handling. Packaging design and materials innovations represent real opportunities to reduce food waste within the supply chain. Besides, changes in people's lifestyles have increased the demand for high-quality, fresh, minimally processed, and ready-to-eat food products with extended shelf-life, that need to meet strict and constantly renewed food safety regulations. In this regard, accurate monitoring of food quality and spoilage is necessary to diminish both health hazards and food waste. Thus, this work provides an overview of the most recent advances in the investigation and development of food packaging materials and design with the aim to improve food chain sustainability. Enhanced barrier and surface properties as well as active materials for food conservation are reviewed. Likewise, the function, importance, current availability, and future trends of intelligent and smart packaging systems are presented, especially considering biobased sensor development by 3D printing technology. In addition, driving factors affecting fully biobased packaging design and materials development and production are discussed, considering byproducts and waste minimization and revalorization, recyclability, biodegradability, and other possible ends-of-life and their impact on product/package system sustainability.

Nanoclays-containing bio-based packaging materials: properties, applications, safety, and regulatory issues

Food packaging is an important concept for consumer satisfaction and the increased shelf life of food products. The introduction of novel food packaging materials has become an emerging trend in recent years, which could be mainly due to environmental pollution caused by plastic packaging and to reduce food waste. Recently, numerous studies have been carried out on nanoclays or nanolayered silicate to be used in packaging material development as reinforcing filler composites. Different types of nanoclays have been used as food packaging materials, while montmorillonite (MMT), halloysite, bentonite (BT), Cloisite, and organically modified nanoclays have become of great interest. The incorporation of nanoclays into the packaging matrix improves the mechanical and barrier properties and at the same time prolongs the biodegradation of the packaging material. The purpose of this article is to examine the development of nanoclay-based food packaging materials. The review article highlights the current state of research on bio-based polymers with nanoclay for food packaging. In addition, the report analyses the mechanical, barrier, and antibacterial characteristics of nanoclay-based food packaging materials. Finally, it discusses the migration of nanoclays, toxicity levels, and the legislation associated with the application of nanoclays.

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