Edible and bio-based food packaging: A review

Abstract

The development of edible/biodegradable films/coatings is a key and unique field of exploration within food packaging which possesses enormous commercial and environmental potential. The potential use of edible packaging has been well recognized by many research groups and the food and pharmaceutical industry as an alternative or synergistic complement to conventional packaging to enhance food protection and/or recyclability of packaging. Various innovative uses of edible films and coatings have been proposed as both new applications and alternatives to existing technologies. The dry thermoplastic process is rapidly developing as a viable commercial process for the production of edible film-forming materials, which can be used in food-grade coatings and soluble packaging to create more effective and convenient packaging solutions, among others, and with environmentally friendly approaches, are a challenge for research and development in the packaging industry.