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Tailoring Synergistic Polylactic Acid–Based Nanocomposites for Sustainable Antimicrobial Fruit Packaging
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This review explores how polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable bioplastic, can be combined with nanofillers, metal nanoparticles, plant extracts, and essential oils to create antimicrobial fruit packaging that reduces food waste while offering an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional plastic materials.
ABSTRACT The rising demand for sustainable and antimicrobial packaging materials has fuelled innovations in polymer‐based solutions, especially in the preservation of fresh fruit to reduce food waste and enhance food safety. This review delves into the advancement and refinement of nanocomposites based on polylactic acid (PLA) for sustainable antimicrobial fruit packaging, emphasising the synergistic effects of combining PLA with nanofillers and antimicrobial agents, such as metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, plant extracts and essential oils (EOs) and carbon nanomaterial. By elucidating the synergistic effects that emerge from these combinations, this review examines the ability to enhance mechanical and antibacterial properties of PLA, followed by a review of the recent changes in sustainable fruit packaging solutions that integrate technological features and environmental considerations. Ultimately, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in PLA‐based antimicrobial packaging, offering insights on the environmental benefits of integrating antimicrobial functionality into PLA‐based materials and the future of sustainable packaging for fruit preservation.
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Exploring Agricultural and Industrial Fruit-Based Waste/By-products for Eco-friendly Multifunctional Bio-based Food Packaging and Coating Materials
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Researchers reviewed how agricultural and industrial fruit waste — including peels, seeds, and pomace — can be converted into multifunctional bio-based food packaging materials with demonstrated antimicrobial, antioxidant, and shelf-life-extending properties, while identifying scalability and regulatory alignment as key barriers to widespread adoption.
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This review examines how bio-based and biodegradable materials, especially polylactic acid (PLA), are being developed as sustainable alternatives for food packaging. While these materials aim to reduce petroleum-based plastic pollution, the review notes that biodegradable plastics can still break down into microplastics during their degradation process. Understanding the full lifecycle of these alternative materials is important for determining whether they truly reduce microplastic contamination.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.