Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Exploring the Role of Chitosan in Fabricating Biodegradable Films for Functional Food Packaging: A Review

This review examines the use of chitosan — a biopolymer derived from crustacean shells — in fabricating biodegradable food packaging films, evaluating its mechanical, antimicrobial, and barrier properties as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.

2023 Journal of Young Pharmacists 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradable Chitosan-Based Films as an Alternative to Plastic Packaging

Researchers tested the biodegradability of chitosan-based films enhanced with metal oxides and graphene as potential replacements for conventional plastic packaging. When buried in soil, the films showed significant weight loss and structural breakdown within weeks, confirming they can decompose naturally. The study suggests that these bio-based materials, which also have antimicrobial properties, could offer a practical and environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based food packaging.

2023 Foods 88 citations
Article Tier 2

An Antibacterial and Antioxidant Food Packaging Film Based on Amphiphilic Polypeptides‐Resveratrol‐Chitosan

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.

2024 Small 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Chitosan with Natural Additives as a Potential Food Packaging

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.

2023 Materials 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Development and characterization of active gelatin-chitosan packaging incorporated with guava leaf extract for extending meat shelf life

Researchers developed active food packaging films made from gelatin and chitosan incorporating natural antimicrobial agents, evaluating their barrier properties, mechanical strength, and ability to extend food shelf life. The bio-based packaging showed effective antimicrobial activity and reduced food spoilage compared to untreated films.

2024 Journal of Agriculture and Food Research 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Advancements in Chitosan–Anthocyanin Composite Films: Sustainable Food Preservation with Biodegradable Packaging

This review covers recent progress in developing biodegradable food packaging made from chitosan (derived from shellfish) combined with anthocyanins (plant pigments), which can preserve food freshness while avoiding the microplastic contamination associated with traditional plastic packaging. These films have antibacterial and antioxidant properties and can even change color to indicate food spoilage, offering a promising alternative to single-use plastics.

2025 Foods 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of Nano-Silica and Sorbitol on the Properties of Chitosan-Based Composite Films

Chitosan composite films incorporating nano-silica and sorbitol were prepared and characterized, finding that the additives improved film flexibility and mechanical properties while maintaining biodegradability, with potential applications in food packaging.

2023 Polymers 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Chitosan as a sustainable alternative for fresh food packaging: Structural insights, modification strategies, and innovations for commercial viability

Researchers reviewed how chitosan — a natural biopolymer derived from crustacean shells — can serve as a biodegradable alternative to single-use plastic food packaging, detailing chemical modification strategies, nanocomposite reinforcement approaches, and recent advances in antimicrobial and antioxidant performance that improve its commercial viability.

2025 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Functional Nanocellulose, Alginate and Chitosan Nanocomposites Designed as Active Film Packaging Materials

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.

2021 Polymers 114 citations
Article Tier 2

Engineering chitosan into fully bio-sourced, water-soluble and enhanced antibacterial poly(aprotic/protic ionic liquid)s packaging membrane

Researchers designed a water-soluble, antibacterial chitosan-based packaging film using fully bio-sourced materials, addressing growing concerns about microplastic pollution from conventional packaging. The resulting membrane showed enhanced antibacterial performance while remaining environmentally benign.

2023 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 19 citations
Article Tier 2

A review of advancements in chitosan-essential oil composite films: Better and sustainable food preservation with biodegradable packaging

This review covers how films made from chitosan (a natural material from shellfish) combined with essential oils are being developed as biodegradable food packaging to replace conventional plastics. By reducing reliance on plastic packaging, these alternatives could help decrease the amount of microplastics that migrate into food and are ultimately consumed by people.

2024 International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Cinnamon-Nanoparticle-Loaded Macroalgal Nanocomposite Film for Antibacterial Food Packaging Applications

Researchers developed antibacterial food packaging films using cinnamon nanoparticles incorporated into a red seaweed biopolymer matrix. The study found that these nanocomposite films demonstrated effective antimicrobial properties against foodborne pathogens while offering a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastic food packaging materials.

2023 Nanomaterials 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Agar-Agar and Chitosan as Precursors in the Synthesis of Functional Film for Foods: A Review

This paper is not about microplastics; it reviews the use of agar-agar and chitosan biopolymers to develop sustainable natural packaging films for the food industry.

2023 Macromol—A Journal of Macromolecular Research 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Incorporation of Chitosan-Stabilized Green Tea Pickering Nanoemulsion into Hybrid Semi-Refined Carrageenan-Gelatin Films: Stability, Antioxidant Activity, and Performance in Active Food Packaging

Researchers developed sustainable hybrid films made from semi-refined carrageenan and gelatin enriched with chitosan-stabilized green tea nanoemulsions as an alternative to conventional plastic packaging. The films demonstrated good stability, antioxidant activity, and improved mechanical properties for active food packaging applications. The study offers a biodegradable approach to reducing reliance on plastic packaging materials in food preservation.

2026 Malaysian Journal of Chemistry
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of the Food Barrier and Mechanical Properties of Carrageenan‐Starch Composite Films

This study developed and tested composite films made from carrageenan and starch for food packaging applications, evaluating their barrier properties against water vapor and oxygen as well as mechanical strength. The bio-based composites showed promising properties as plastic-free food packaging alternatives.

2024 Food Science & Nutrition 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan Nanoparticles against Listeria monocytogenes

Not relevant to microplastics — this is a microbiology study testing the antimicrobial effectiveness of chitosan nanoparticles from different sources against the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, finding that nanoparticle size — not just molecular weight or deacetylation degree — drives efficacy.

2023 Polymers 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of nanofibrillated cellulose on alginate and chitosan film properties as potential barrier coatings for paper food packaging

Researchers tested nanofibrillated cellulose as an additive for chitosan and alginate biopolymer films intended for food packaging applications. The study found that adding oxidized nanofibrillated cellulose improved the mechanical and barrier properties of the films, suggesting these biodegradable composites could serve as alternatives to conventional plastic packaging coatings.

2024 BioResources 11 citations
Article Tier 2

PLA-Chitosan Composites as Sustainable Alternatives for Menstrual Pads

Researchers developed biodegradable PLA-chitosan composite films as an environmentally friendly alternative to polyethylene in menstrual pads, demonstrating that the composite maintained absorbency and mechanical integrity while offering antimicrobial properties and full biodegradability.

2025 Highlights in Science Engineering and Technology
Article Tier 2

Biodegradability Study of Modified Chitosan Films with Cinnamic Acid and Ellagic Acid in Soil

Researchers evaluated the biodegradability of chitosan films modified with cinnamic acid and ellagic acid in soil, testing whether adding antimicrobial compounds to the biopolymer slows natural decomposition. The study assessed how these modifications affect the efficiency of biodegradation by soil microflora.

2024 Polymers 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Two Fascinating Polysaccharides: Chitosan and Starch. Some Prominent Characterizations for Applying as Eco-Friendly Food Packaging and Pollutant Remover in Aqueous Medium. Progress in Recent Years: A Review

This review examines the properties of chitosan and starch—two biodegradable natural polymers—and their potential as eco-friendly replacements for petroleum-based plastic packaging. The authors summarize recent progress in improving these materials' strength, water resistance, and pollutant removal capabilities.

2021 Polymers 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Enhancing water resistance and mechanical properties of starch‐based edible biofilms through chitosan, seaweed, and sodium tripolyphosphate modifications

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.

2024 Polymer Engineering and Science 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Tuning the Properties of Xylan/Chitosan-Based Films by Temperature and Citric Acid Crosslinking Agent

This paper is not about microplastics in an environmental or health context; it describes the development of xylan-chitosan bioplastic films crosslinked with citric acid as a petroleum-free alternative packaging material, focused on material properties rather than pollution or exposure.

2024 Polymers 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Films from Starch Inclusion Complexes with Bioactive Compounds as Food Packaging Material

Researchers created biodegradable food packaging films from starch combined with the bioactive compounds carvacrol and ascorbic acid. The films demonstrated antioxidant and antimicrobial properties while being mechanically suitable for packaging applications. The study presents a promising alternative to conventional plastic food packaging that could both preserve food and reduce plastic waste.

2025 Food and Bioprocess Technology 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Edible and Functionalized Films/Coatings—Performances and Perspectives

This review covers recent advances in edible and biodegradable food films and coatings made from biological materials, examining their performance properties and potential as sustainable replacements for conventional petroleum-based food packaging.

2020 Coatings 116 citations