Advances in polysaccharide-based food packaging: Functionalization strategies and sustainability considerations

The food packaging industry generates escalating environmental challenges due to the pervasive use of single-use petroleum-derived plastics, which contribute to climate change, pollution, and microplastic contamination. Polysaccharides have emerged as promising renewable alternatives for food packaging materials. This review critically evaluates recent advances regarding functionalization strategies aimed at improving the mechanical, barrier, and functional properties of polysaccharide-based packaging films. Special attention is paid to chemical modification, blending with bioactive agents, and incorporation of nanomaterials. These strategies significantly enhance the material properties and extend the functionality of polysaccharide-based films, such as antimicrobial, UV-blocking, and pH-indicating capabilities. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and material circularity considerations are provided to compare the environmental sustainability of polysaccharide-based packaging against conventional petroleum-derived plastics, highlighting the environmental trade-offs associated with the adoption of biopolymer-based materials. Additionally, the review critically examines the current limitations and challenges related to scaling up production and achieving cost-effectiveness, thus offering insights into the practical implementation of these materials in the food packaging industry. Finally, key research opportunities are identified, emphasizing the need for further studies to address the challenges of large-scale implementation and cost efficiency in the transition to more sustainable food packaging solutions.