Active edible films: Current state and future trends

Abstract

On the use of tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite as a chain extender in melt-blended poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate)/ clay nanocomposites: Morphology, thermal stability, and mechanical properties J. González-Ausejo, E. Sánchez-Safont, J. Gámez-Pérez and L. Cabedo, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, DOI: 10.1002 Characterization of polyhydroxyalkanoate blends incorporating unpurified biosustainably produced poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) A. Martínez-Abad, L. Cabedo, C. S. S. Oliveira, L. Hilliou, M. Reis and J. M. Lagarón, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, DOI: 10.1002 Modification of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) ABSTRACT: Active edible films represent one of the current and future trends in the development of new polymers for selected applications, particularly food packaging. Some biopolymers show excellent performance as carriers for active compounds extracted from natural sources and are able to be released at a controlled rate to packaged food. In this review we aim to present, in a comprehensive way, the most recent advances and updates in this subject, where much research is currently ongoing and new studies are reported very often. This review focuses on innovative biopolymer matrices, their processing to obtain edible active films, and present and future applications.

Gelatin-Based Films and Coatings for Food Packaging Applications

“…Factors that should be considered when designing this type of system include the chemical nature of food, controlled release mechanisms, food organoleptic characteristics and additive toxicity, storage and distribution, physical and mechanical properties of packaging materials and regulations to be applied in this framework [14]. Consequently, different types of additives could be added to improve or modify the final properties in order to achieve suitable gelatin-based films or coatings for food packaging.…”

“…Recent studies have focused on interesting techniques to develop active packaging films and coatings, including antimicrobial, antioxidant and other agents which can enhance the biological features of food [8,14]. These components are usually essential oils or extracts obtained from plants The film properties of gelatin are also determined by the gelatin used, since the molecular weight distribution and amino acid composition vary greatly between gelatins obtained from different sources.…”

“…Recent studies have focused on interesting techniques to develop active packaging films and coatings, including antimicrobial, antioxidant and other agents which can enhance the biological features of food [8,14]. These components are usually essential oils or extracts obtained from plants and spices which exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, and most of them are considered to be Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) [28].…”

“…Due to the highly hygroscopic nature of gelatin, it has a tendency to swell or be dissolved when putting in contact with the surface of foodstuffs with high moisture content. Several research studies have been conducted to evaluate the overall effect of the addition of different substances, such as crosslinkers, strengthening agents, plasticizers or additives with antimicrobial or antioxidant properties, in gelatin-based products to improve the functional properties of gelatin and the shelf-life of food products [14,15]. The improvement in these properties occurs when intermolecular forces of protein chains are reduced by the action of molecular structures modifying their hydrophilic character or promoting the formation of strong covalent bonds in the protein network of the film [10].…”

Valorization of Agricultural Wastes for the Production of Protein-Based Biopolymers

“…In particular, the synthesis and production of protein-based biopolymers is gaining some ground in the research of current trends [7,8]. The aim of this work is to review in a comprehensive manner the use of some agro-wastes for the production of protein-based biopolymers to permit the valorization of residues and the production of a strong alternative to some plastic commodities.…”