A comprehensive review of polysaccharide-based bionanocomposites for food packaging applications

Abstract

The newly engineered functional systems of nanotechnology implemented in food packaging minimize food product loss by extending shelf life. The incorporation of nanostructured materials into packaging formulations enhanced the existing characteristics of food packaging materials by increasing the specific surface area of these biopolymers. Natural biopolymers were regarded as greener, more sustainable, and environmentally friendly materials. Starch nanocrystals have been employed effectively as fillers in polymer matrices to enhance mechanical and moisture barrier characteristics. Both chitin and chitosan nanoparticles were biocompatible, biodegradable, inexpensive in cost, and mucoadhesive in nature. Alginate nanoparticles demonstrated high thermal and chemical stability. Because of these features, polysaccharide-based nanoparticles were excellent candidates for nano reinforcements in bio-nanocomposites. The nano sized forms of starch, chitin, chitosan, and alginate are non-toxic and antimicrobial. This study focused on current advances in the development of food packaging films based on starch, chitin, chitosan, and alginate nanoparticles, as well as trends and challenges in the formulation of bio-based polymers. This review detailed the synthesis of starch, chitin, chitosan, and alginate nanoparticles using various techniques such as hydrolysis, ionic gelation, reverse micellization, emulsification, and crosslinking. This type of polysaccharide-based bio-nanocomposite is expected to revolutionize the entire food packaging industry.

Bionanocomposites for active and smart food packaging: A review on its application, safety, and health aspects

“…Polysaccharides, when incurred in packaging, tend to express favorable properties such as adhesion, thickness, compactness, and so forth. The most widely used polysaccharides source in nano‐based food packaging is broadly classified into the following types: animal based, plant based, and synthetic based (Altaf et al, 2022). The animal‐based polysaccharides are mostly chitosan.…”

“…The plant‐based polysaccharides are seaweed extracts such as alginate, carrageenan, guar gum, and so forth; starch and cellulose. Certain artificially synthesized compounds are also used for packaging these days (e.g., polyesters; Altaf et al, 2022). Despite their endless advantages, polysaccharides possess drawbacks such as poor mechanical strength and lowered barriers to moisture and gases.…”

“…forth. The most widely used polysaccharides source in nano-based food packaging is broadly classified into the following types: animal based, plant based, and synthetic based(Altaf et al, 2022). The animal-based polysaccharides are mostly chitosan.…”

Nano-/Microcapsules, Liposomes, and Micelles in Polysaccharide Carriers: Applications in Food Technology

“…It is noteworthy that biopolymers derived from starch, cellulose, and lactic acid have been easily commercialised as a result of the cost-effectiveness of their production and purification processes [111]. The fascination and widespread attention these polysaccharides garner stems from their distinctive and coveted chemical properties [112]. Polysaccharides are a group of organic compounds which are abundant, economical, ecologically sound, and renewable.…”

Water vapor transport properties of bio-based multilayer materials determined by original and complementary methods

“…Bio-based and biodegradable materials are a potential substitute in packaging industry, which represents 41% of the total worldwide plastic production (according to 2021 Plastics Europe ), helping to decrease environmental pollution. Among the potential candidates, polysaccharides have attracted growing interest over the past decades because of their biodegradability, compostability and renewable origin 1 – 4 . Especially, nanocelluloses extracted from plant fibers have shown impressive mechanical and barrier properties and have recently been used in multiple industries such as biomedicine, papermaking, construction, textiles, packaging or electronics 5 – 10 .…”