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In the current strive towards a sustainable future, renewable material resources are increasingly gaining attention and are being investigated for the development of future alternatives to conventional products. This strive is also steadily increasing the demand for new materials with various functionalities and tenable properties. Nanocellulose, a product from renewable materials, has been gaining attention for its utilization in food packaging. This is occasioned by its eco-friendly and biodegradable properties. This review attempts to establish acceptable processes for obtaining nanocellulose and its functionalized form for applications in food packaging. The development and promises of nanocellulose food packaging materials are addressed, together with current challenges and future directions to help transform research developments into commercial products. This review also discussed antibacterial substances utilized in PLA/nanocellulose-based packaging. The latest research on the processing and modification of nanocellulose-based antimicrobial materials against viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa by using variable functional groups is highlighted in this review, which overall focuses on more environmentally friendly food packaging with improved antimicrobial properties. Additionally covered are the issues with industrial manufacture and the potential development of nanocellulose-based antibacterial compounds.

Recently, polyethylene bags have become the highest source of environmental pollution due to long hydrocarbons contained in their polymer chains which hinders its degradation. The present study investigated biodegradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) film and plasticized cassava starch (PCS) blends through casting methods. Five sample blends were produced by varying composition of LDPE and cassava starch (CS) using glycerol and water as plasticizers. Biodegradation behaviour of LDPE/PCS blends were determined by soil burial analysis within a period of 75 days. The results of the soil burial revealed continuous loss of weight with increased PCS content and number of days. Microanalysis was performed to isolate microorganisms from the active soil that contained the blend samples. The biodegradation was further confirmed by investigating the physical characterizations of the blend samples before and after biodegradation using international standards. The results of the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) revealed chemical functional group changes after biodegradation. The tensile strength of the blends decreased with increased PCS content and incubation period. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis revealed biodegraded microstructures with continuous crack dissemination, cavities and rough surfaces after soil burial. This study has revealed the environmental compatibility and biodegradability of PCS on thermoplastics. It, therefore, concludes that the rate of biodegradation exhibited by the blends in this study will eventually expedite their continuous reduction in the soil if utilized frequently.