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A Comprehensive Review of Biodegradable Polymer-Based Films and Coatings and Their Food Packaging Applications

Materials 2022 221 citations

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This review covers the development of biodegradable polymer-based films and coatings as alternatives to conventional plastic food packaging. While these bio-based materials reduce long-term environmental pollution, the review notes that they can still break down into microplastic particles under certain conditions. The shift to biodegradable packaging may reduce but not eliminate the food packaging contribution to microplastic pollution and human exposure.

Polymers

Food sectors are facing issues as a result of food scarcity, which is exacerbated by rising populations and demand for food. Food is ordinarily wrapped and packaged using petroleum-based plastics such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and others. However, the excessive use of these polymers has environmental and health risks. As a result, much research is currently focused on the use of bio-based materials for food packaging. Biodegradable polymers that are compatible with food products are used to make edible packaging materials. These can be ingested with food and provide consumers with additional health benefits. Recent research has shifted its focus to multilayer coatings and films-based food packaging, which can provide a material with additional distinct features. The aim of this review article is to investigate the properties and applications of several bio-based polymers in food packaging. The several types of edible film and coating production technologies are also covered separately. Furthermore, the use of edible films and coatings in the food industry has been examined, and their advantages over traditional materials are also discussed.

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