Perspectives of Biodegradable Nanocoatings in Food Packaging

Abstract

Nanotechnology has the potential to improve human health, economic prosperity, product innovation, and overall quality of life, including through food nanopackaging––a promising area focusing on biodegradable packaging solutions. This alternative to conventional packaging minimizes waste, extends food shelf life, and enhances overall quality. The production of biodegradable nanocoatings can contribute to industry sustainability by reducing water consumption, solid waste, electricity use, and emissions. Bio-based coatings, with compatibility and matrix properties, can incorporate antioxidant agents and antimicrobial compounds, enhancing product safety, functionality, and shelf life. Biodegradable polymers, including polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and polyesters, offer innovative pathways for entirely bio-based nanocoatings. These cost-effective, biocompatible, and renewable materials can be sourced directly from marine organisms and plants or produced through fermentative processes by microorganisms, such as microbial polyesters or polysaccharides. However, challenges in handling biopolymers, such as their hydrophilicity, crystallization tendencies, brittleness or melting instabilities, necessitate blending them with other materials to enhance their coating performance. Integrating nanoparticles within biopolymers can address environmental concerns by reducing packaging materials and enhancing recyclability. This approach aligns with a more eco-sustainable approach to food packaging, resulting in reduced waste.