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Seaweed as a Valuable and Sustainable Resource for Food Packaging Materials
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This review examined seaweed-derived polysaccharides (alginate, fucoidan, carrageenan, agar, ulvan) as sustainable alternatives to plastic food packaging materials, surveying recent developments in biodegradable films, coatings, and wraps. Seaweed's fast growth, minimal resource requirements, and rich polysaccharide content make it a promising candidate for reducing persistent plastic packaging waste in food systems.
Plastic food packaging causes massive pollution in the environment via resource extraction, gas emissions, and the enduring plastic waste accumulation. Hence, it is of crucial importance to discover sustainable alternatives in order to protect ecosystems and conserve precious resources. Recently, seaweed has been emerging as a promising sustainable solution to plastic pollution. Seaweed is a fast-growing marine plant that is abundant in tropical coastlines and requires minimal resources to cultivate. In addition, seaweed is rich in valuable polysaccharides such as alginate, fucoidan, carrageenan, agar, and ulva, which can be extracted and processed into biodegradable films, coatings, and wraps. This ability allows the creation of an alternative to plastic food packages that are completely biodegradable, made from renewable resources, and do not linger in landfills or oceans for centuries. In this context, this review discusses the main classification of seaweed, their production and abundance in the world, and provides a summary of seaweed-based materials developed in the last 2-5 years for potential usage in the food packaging sector.
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An Overview of the Alternative Use of Seaweeds to Produce Safe and Sustainable Bio-Packaging
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This review explores how compounds derived from seaweed, particularly polysaccharides like alginates and carrageenans, can be used to create biodegradable packaging as an alternative to conventional plastics. Researchers found that seaweed-based biopolymers offer both functional packaging properties and potential health benefits, while avoiding the microplastic pollution caused by petroleum-based plastics. The approach represents a promising step toward reducing ocean plastic contamination by replacing single-use plastics with marine-sourced biodegradable materials.
Seaweed Biopolymers in Packaging
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This review rounds up existing research on using seaweed to make food packaging and edible films instead of plastic, since seaweed-based materials can naturally break down and even help keep food fresh longer by blocking oxygen and germs. Swapping out conventional plastic for seaweed alternatives could mean less plastic waste and fewer microplastics ending up in our food and water — though the technology is still being refined for wider commercial use.
Seaweed Polysaccharide in Food Contact Materials (Active Packaging, Intelligent Packaging, Edible Films, and Coatings)
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This review examines how seaweed-based polysaccharides are being developed as alternatives to conventional plastics for food packaging applications, including active packaging, intelligent packaging, and edible coatings. Researchers found that these natural materials can extend food shelf life by providing antimicrobial and antioxidant properties while being biodegradable. The study highlights seaweed polysaccharides as a promising sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastic packaging in the food industry.
Seaweed as Basis of Eco-Sustainable Plastic Materials: Focus on Alginate
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This review examines seaweed—particularly brown seaweed-derived alginate—as a renewable feedstock for biodegradable bioplastics, covering extraction and processing methods including solvent casting, injection moulding, and extrusion. Alginate's gel-forming properties and versatility across food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural sectors make it a particularly promising candidate for sustainable packaging that can reduce dependence on conventional petroleum-based plastics.
Eco-Friendly Biopolymers Shaping Sustainable Food Packaging
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This review examines seaweed-derived biopolymers—particularly alginates and carrageenans—as materials for sustainable food packaging, covering their properties, processing methods, and performance as barriers to moisture and gases. It evaluates their potential to replace petroleum-based plastics and their degradation profiles under real-world conditions.
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