Biobased and biodegradable materials for food packaging: an alternative to conventional packaging

What is it about?

The packaging material is a crucial barrier to protecting food against contamination and spoilage during handling, transport, and storage. However, plastic packaging can lead to severe environmental, human, and animal health problems when disposed of improperly. With that in mind, alternatives have been created to replace conventional plastic materials with cleaner packaging, especially those based on biobased and biodegradable materials. Furthermore, the addition of nanomaterials and natural antioxidant compounds has been an attractive strategy to improve the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the packaging, aiming to reduce the proliferation of microorganisms and eventual oxidative processes that lead to food degradation.

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Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Food packaging based on nanomaterials combined with natural antioxidant actives, such as plant extracts and essential oils, has a more excellent antibacterial and antioxidant effect of prolonging the shelf life of food. Packaging systems based on biobased and biodegradable materials have a lower environmental impact and are efficient in food protection. Despite the advantages, special attention should be given to future investigations into nanomaterials migration and cytotoxic potential to guarantee consumer safety.

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