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Improving Antimicrobial Properties of Biopolymer-Based Films in Food Packaging: Key Factors and Their Impact
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Researchers developed antimicrobial biodegradable food packaging films from starch, chitosan, and alginate modified with plant extracts, plasticizers, crosslinkers, and cellulose nanofibers, finding that chestnut extract and calcium chloride-crosslinked alginate films with specific plasticizers achieved the strongest broad-spectrum antimicrobial performance against bacteria and yeast while maintaining favorable mechanical and hydrophilic properties.
Biodegradable films derived from polysaccharides are increasingly considered eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic packaging in the food industry. The study's purpose was to improve the antimicrobial properties of biopolymer-based films made from starch, chitosan, alginate, and their blends (starch/chitosan and starch/alginate) and to evaluate the effects of modifiers, i.e., plant extracts, plasticizers, cross-linking agents, and nanofillers. Films were prepared via the Solution Casting Method and modified with various plasticizers, calcium chloride, oxidized sucrose, and nanofiber cellulose (NC). Chestnut, nettle, grape, and graviola extracts were tested for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. The film's mechanical and hydrophilic properties were studied as well. The chestnut extract showed the strongest antimicrobial properties, leading to its incorporation in all the films. The chitosan films displayed better antibacterial activity against Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria but were ineffective against C. albicans. NC significantly improved the mechanical and antimicrobial properties of the chitosan films. The alginate films, modified with various plasticizers cross-linked with calcium chloride, demonstrated the highest antimicrobial efficacy against E. coli. The starch films, cross-linked with oxidized sucrose, exhibited slightly lower antimicrobial resistance due to a more compact structure. Films such as ALG6 and ALG5, including plasticizers EPGOS and PGOS, respectively, indicated optimal hydrophilicity and mechanical properties and achieved the best antimicrobial performance against all the investigated microorganisms. All these findings highlight the potential of these biodegradable films for food packaging, offering enhanced antimicrobial activity that prolongs shelf life and reduces spoilage, making them promising candidates for sustainable food preservation.
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This review examines how phytochemical additives enhance the mechanical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of gelatin-chitosan biodegradable films for food packaging. The study explores the potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds to improve film performance and help reduce reliance on plastic packaging.
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Researchers developed improved starch-based edible biofilms using chitosan, seaweed, and sodium tripolyphosphate as sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic food wrapping. The study found that these modifications significantly enhanced the biofilms' mechanical strength and water resistance while maintaining non-toxic and antimicrobial properties, offering a promising eco-friendly replacement for conventional plastic packaging.
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Researchers formulated and characterized 25 nanocellulose-based composite films using cellulose nanocrystals, nanofibrils, and bacterial nanocellulose combined with chitosan and alginate, finding that combinations with chitosan generally provided the best mechanical and barrier properties for potential food packaging use.
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Researchers reviewed the potential of chitosan, a natural polymer derived from chitin, as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic food packaging. Chitosan-based materials combined with natural additives show promising antimicrobial and biocompatible properties while being biodegradable. The study suggests these materials could help reduce plastic packaging waste and the associated microplastic pollution from food industry sources.
An Antibacterial and Antioxidant Food Packaging Film Based on Amphiphilic Polypeptides‐Resveratrol‐Chitosan
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