Silk fibroin‐based films in food packaging applications: A review

Abstract

Plastic pollution is a significant concern nowadays due to wastes generated from non-biodegradable and non-renewable synthetic materials. In particular, most plastic food packaging material ends up in landfills, creating mass wastes that clog the drainage system and pollute the ocean. Thus, studies on various biopolymers have been promoted to replace synthetic polymers in food packaging and consequently, the high number of research in biopolymers food packaging, especially in the characterization, properties and also the development of the biopolymer. For biopolymer-based food packaging, silk fibroin (SF) has been highlighted because of its biodegradability and low water vapor permeability properties. This review focuses on the different properties of SF films prepared through solution casting and electrospinning for food packaging. Discussions encompassed chemical properties, mechanical properties, permeability, and biodegradability. This review also discussed the studies that used SF as the biomaterial for food packaging.

Recent Developments of Silk-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Applications: A Special Focus on the Advancement of 3D Printing

“…To make silk products insoluble, water annealing is also utilized [ 61 ]. Compared to films treated with methanol, water-annealed films are more flexible and deteriorate more quickly [ 62 ]. There are fantastic chances to modify the structure and characteristics of materials made from regenerated silk using the protic ionic liquid system [ 63 ].…”

Cellulose-based natural nanofibers for fresh produce packaging: current status, sustainability and future outlook

“…Silk broin is biocompatible, biodegradable, and has excellent mechanical properties, making it an attractive material for food packaging. 32 (e) Starch: starch is derived from corn, potatoes, and other plants and is used as a thickener and gelling agent in food products. Starch-based polymers can also be used to produce biodegradable food packaging.…”

“…Silk fibroin is biocompatible, biodegradable, and has excellent mechanical properties, making it an attractive material for food packaging. 32…”

Silk Fibroin Combined with Electrospinning as a Promising Strategy for Tissue Regeneration

“…[26,27] SF accounts for approximately 70%-80% of the total weight of silk, while sericin accounts for approximately 20%-30%. [28,29] The extraction of SF is by first removing sericin through degumming treatment, mainly utilizing the water solubility of sericin, which can be completely dissolved by placing it in a heated alkaline solution. [30] The degummed fibroin retains the structure of its large filamentous fibers and is commonly dissolved in a lithium bromide solution or a calcium chloride/ethanol/water ternary solvent.…”