Trends in Bioactive Multilayer Films: Perspectives in the Use of Polysaccharides, Proteins, and Carbohydrates with Natural Additives for Application in Food Packaging

Abstract

The harmful effects on the environment caused by the indiscriminate use of synthetic plastics and the inadequate management of post-consumer waste have given rise to efforts to redirect this consumption to bio-based economic models. In this sense, using biopolymers to produce materials is a reality for food packaging companies searching for technologies that allow these materials to compete with those from synthetic sources. This review paper focused on the recent trends in multilayer films with the perspective of using biopolymers and natural additives for application in food packaging. Firstly, the recent developments in the area were presented concisely. Then, the main biopolymers used (gelatin, chitosan, zein, polylactic acid) and main methods for multilayer film preparation were discussed, including the layer-by-layer, casting, compression, extrusion, and electrospinning methods. Furthermore, we highlighted the bioactive compounds and how they are inserted in the multilayer systems to form active biopolymeric food packaging. Furthermore, the advantages and drawbacks of multilayer packaging development are also discussed. Finally, the main trends and challenges in using multilayer systems are presented. Therefore, this review aims to bring updated information in an innovative approach to current research on food packaging materials, focusing on sustainable resources such as biopolymers and natural additives. In addition, it proposes viable production routes for improving the market competitiveness of biopolymer materials against synthetic materials.

Assessing the Conformity of Plasticizer-Free Polymers for Foodstuff Packaging Using Solid Phase Microextraction Coupled to Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

“…In this context, today, great attention is being paid by the scientific community to the development of alternative materials with low environmental impacts which are not dangerous for human health and which can, if not replace, at least reduce the indiscriminate use of plastics. Polymers produced from natural sources represent a valuable alternative for producing these materials [13]. Alginate is a polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed that has found numerous applications in biomedical science and engineering due to its favorable properties including biocompatibility, ease of gelation, and malleability even without the addition of additives [14].…”

Preparation, Characterization, and Application of pH-Response Color-Changeable Films Based on Pullulan, Cooked Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) Juice, and Bergamot Essential Oil

“…The preparation of green and biodegradable food packaging films based on natural biopolymers (e.g., polysaccharides, lipids and proteins) has become a hot spot in the food industry [1,2]. Biopolymers are abundant, inexpensive, non-toxic and non-hazardous substances with high biodegradability and biocompatibility, providing a new solution to alleviate the serious environmental problems caused by using traditional plastic packaging [3].…”

Gas Barrier Properties of Multilayer Polymer–Clay Nanocomposite Films: A Multiscale Simulation Approach

“…Gas permeability is one of the most important properties in assessing the operational performance of packaging and protective materials designed to ensure long-term storage of food and pharmaceuticals [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. The choice of polymers for these applications is explained by their high manufacturability and design flexibility, while products based on them have a lower weight that cannot be offered by glass and metal.…”

“…Recently, flexible multilayer films have been increasingly used in the production of packaging for fresh vegetables and meat, as well as bags and containers for the storage of young wine, drugs, medicines, etc. [4,7,9,11,13,18,19]. Commercial multilayer films typically consist of three to nine layers of different polymers with or without an aluminum interlayer.…”

“…Today, some biopolymer films are also being adapted with synthetic polymers to meet the current trends to reduce polymer waste and facilitate recycling [13][14][15]23,24]. At the same time, the use of aluminum layers increases the environmental impact and reduces the recyclability of such protective coatings.…”