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Sustainable keratin-based packaging film incorporating phenolated lignin nanoparticles with photothermal antibacterial and antioxidant properties
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Researchers engineered a fully bio-based keratin/carboxymethyl cellulose film incorporating phenolic lignin nanoparticles that, under light irradiation, rapidly heats above 50°C to achieve over 95% antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus and E. coli while extending fresh strawberry shelf life — providing a functional, plastic-free food packaging alternative.
The preservation of fresh foods remains a critical challenge due to oxidative spoilage and microbial contamination, highlighting the demand for sustainable packaging materials with integrated antioxidant and antimicrobial functionalities. Conventional plastic packaging, while widely used, not only lacks these essential functions but also poses severe environmental burdens, prompting the search for eco-friendly alternatives. In this study, a fully bio-based keratin/carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogel film (PLKC) was developed, incorporating phenolic-modified lignin nanoparticles (PL NPs) as a green photothermal agent to achieve excellent photothermal antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, to be used as packaging film. The PLKC film exhibits outstanding mechanical properties based on networks formed by disulfide bonds and hydrogen bonds, with tensile strength and elongation at break reaching 12.4 MPa and 48.3%, respectively. And the self-adhesive capabilities of the film enable tight sealing upon simple pressing. Benefiting from the excellent light absorption of PL NPs, the PLKC film displays rapid photothermal response, reaching temperatures above 50 ℃ within 30 s under xenon lamp irradiation. This photothermal effect synergistically enhances the inherent antibacterial efficacy of PL NPs, resulting in inhibition rates exceeding 95% against both S. aureus and E. coli, alongside a high radical scavenging activity. These combined functionalities were verified by packaging fresh strawberries, of which the shelf life was effectively prolonged. The PLKC film presents a sustainable solution to simultaneously address food waste and plastic pollution, holding significant potential for application in food packaging.
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Researchers reinforced polyvinyl alcohol films with alkali lignin extracted from sugarcane agricultural residue, crosslinked with food-grade sodium trimetaphosphate, and functionalized with curcumin, producing biodegradable packaging with 89% radical scavenging activity, UV shielding, and antimicrobial properties that meaningfully extended cherry tomato shelf life at ambient temperature.
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Researchers developed lignin-chitosan hydrogel films crosslinked with food-grade sodium trimetaphosphate and cured at ambient temperature, achieving strong tensile properties, near-90% radical scavenging activity, and effective antimicrobial performance, with the films maintaining integrity in food-simulant solutions and extending shelf life of chicken breast over five days.
Green preparation of nanocellulose/H2O2-modified lignin composite films and their antibacterial, flame-retardant, and food preservation properties
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Scientists created a new food packaging film made from plant fibers and treated wood waste (lignin) instead of petroleum-based plastic. In tests, it kept cherry tomatoes fresh for 15 days, blocked UV rays, resisted fire, killed over 99.99% of bacteria, and broke down almost completely in soil within two months. This matters because it points toward packaging that could reduce our reliance on plastics linked to microplastic pollution, while also keeping food safer and fresher for longer.
Lignin nanoparticles in food packaging: a sustainable approach to material design and performance enhancement
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Researchers reviewed how lignin nanoparticles can enhance biodegradable food packaging polymers like chitosan and starch, finding that lignin's natural antioxidant and antimicrobial properties significantly improve barrier performance and shelf life while reducing reliance on petroleum-based plastics.
An Antibacterial and Antioxidant Food Packaging Film Based on Amphiphilic Polypeptides‐Resveratrol‐Chitosan
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Researchers developed a biodegradable food packaging film made from natural materials including chitosan and resveratrol that kills bacteria and prevents food spoilage. Unlike conventional plastic packaging that breaks down into microplastics, this film is made entirely from biological materials and poses no microplastic contamination risk. This type of eco-friendly alternative could help reduce the microplastics that enter the food supply through traditional plastic packaging.
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