A Review on Reinforcements and Additives in Starch-Based Composites for Food Packaging

Abstract

The research of starch as a matrix material for manufacturing biodegradable films has been gaining popularity in recent years, indicating its potential and possible limitations. To compete with conventional petroleum-based plastics, an enhancement of their low resistance to water and limited mechanical properties is essential. This review aims to discuss the various types of nanofillers and additives that have been used in plasticized starch films including nanoclays (montmorillonite, halloysite, kaolinite, etc.), poly-saccharide nanofillers (cellulose, starch, chitin, and chitosan nanomaterials), metal oxides (titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, zirconium oxide, etc.), and essential oils (carvacrol, eugenol, cinnamic acid). These reinforcements are frequently used to enhance several physical characteristics including mechanical properties, thermal stability, moisture resistance, oxygen barrier capabilities, and biodegradation rate, providing antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This paper will provide an overview of the development of starch-based nanocomposite films and coatings applied in food packaging systems through the application of reinforcements and additives.

Functionalization Methods of Starch and Its Derivatives: From Old Limitations to New Possibilities

“…However, the problem is that these are low-starch mixtures, and their production costs are still high and therefore uncompetitive compared to traditionally used petroleum-based polymers. The evolution in obtaining such materials, opportunities, and challenges was recently reported by Zarski et al [ 56 ] and Muñoz-Gimena et al [ 57 ].…”

Transitioning of petroleum-based plastic food packaging to sustainable bio-based alternatives

“…50 The starch itself is an excellent sustainable biodegradable material, with huge potential to enhance food preservations. 51 The pure starch films are the simplest form of starch-based films, made primarily from starch extracted from sources like corn, potato, or rice. Although scratch-based films tend to have good gas barrier properties, but it come with poor mechanical properties, making them brittle.…”

Recent Advances in Functional Cellulose-based Films with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties for Food Packaging

“…ZnO has widely been used as an antibacterial and antioxidant agent. , ZnO particles can endow biocidal activities through different mechanisms such as the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the release of Zn­(II) ions. , Therefore, various types of functional composite films are created by incorporation of ZnO NPs into the film composition . Grafting of polycaprolactone to cellulose improved hydrophobicity of the films, whereas the incorporation of ZnO NPs provided antioxidant activity to the corresponding films .…”

“…112,114 Therefore, various types of functional composite films are created by incorporation of ZnO NPs into the film composition. 115 Grafting of polycaprolactone to cellulose improved hydrophobicity of the films, whereas the incorporation of ZnO NPs provided antioxidant activity to the corresponding films. 94 Dissolution of bleached cotton linter pulp and ε-caprolactone in the presence of ZnO NPs in [EMIM]Ac ionic liquid induced in situ grafting of polycaprolactone onto the cellulose chains through ring-opening polymerization mechanism.…”