A Comprehensive Mini-Review on Lignin-Based Nanomaterials for Food Applications: Systemic Advancement and Future Trends

Abstract

The shift to an environmentally friendly material economy requires renewable resource exploration. This shift may depend on lignin valorization. Lignin is an aromatic polymer that makes up one-third of total lingo-cellulosic biomass and is separated into large amounts for biofuel and paper manufacture. This renewable polymer is readily available at a very low cost as nearly all the lignin that is produced each year (90-100 million tons) is simply burned as a low-value fuel. Lignin offers potential qualities for many applications, and yet it is underutilized. This Perspective highlights lignin-based material prospects and problems in food packaging, antimicrobial, and agricultural applications. The first half will discuss the present and future studies on exploiting lignin as an addition to improve food packaging's mechanical, gas, UV, bioactive molecules, polyphenols, and antioxidant qualities. Second, lignin's antibacterial activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses will be discussed. In conclusion, lignin agriculture will be discussed in the food industries.

Keywords: bioactive molecules; food applications; lignin; nanomaterial; polyphenol.

Figure 1

Representation of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and lignin structural units.

Figure 2

(A) Biodegradable polymers used in food packaging. (B) Properties that lignin incorporation can affect, when incorporated in a biodegradable polymer film.