Biodegradable Polymers for Food Packaging Applications

Abstract

Transporting, preserving, and protecting food are functional tasks performed by packaging in the food industry. However, the use of non-biodegradable plastics like polyolefins can damage the ecosystem and cause environmental pollution. Hence, efforts are being made to explore eco-friendly alternatives and biodegradable packaging options. Biodegradable polymers used in packaging can be similar to conventional applications like modified atmosphere packaging, smart packaging, and intelligent packaging. Apart from these, biopolymers such as protein and/or polysaccharides-based ones offer a new class of polymers in their application as in edible packaging. The biodegradable polymers with lavish advantages demand several process-centric modifications such as blending, plasticization, and nanofiller incorporation for the potential functional enhancement in mechano-barrier properties. Active or intelligent vis-à-vis smart biodegradable packaging though provides sustainable solutions, the study of their migration aspects especially of small molecules in the food to ensure food safety remains a key concern. Packaging materials can be improved with nanoparticle-based antimicrobials to yield bionanocomposites comprising of biodegradable polymers and inorganic nanoparticles to provide increased functionality in performance and lessened environmental concerns. However, the potential toxicity and sustainability of bioplastics must also be considered. Overall, employing eco-friendly materials and inventive packaging methods can improve food quality, safety, and transparency while reducing environmental impact.