Biopolymers and their nanocomposites coated paper-based high barrier and sustainable food packaging materials

Abstract

This review explores the evolving landscape of sustainable food packaging, focusing on biopolymer and nanomaterial-based coatings for paper substrates. As global initiatives prioritize circular economy strategies, the demand for biodegradable and recyclable alternatives to single-use, petroleum-based polymers has intensified. Paper packaging emerges as a promising candidate, despite inherent barrier performance limitations. This review examines recent advancements in enhancing paper-based packaging through biopolymer coatings and nanocomposites. It investigates utilization of various biopolymers including polysaccharides (cellulose, starch, chitosan, alginate), lignin, proteins (soy, whey, zein, gluten, casein), lipid, and various aliphatic polyesters, based on their potential to improve barrier properties against oxygen, moisture, and microbial contamination. The synergistic effects of incorporating nanomaterials into biopolymer matrices are discussed, highlighting their role in augmenting mechanical and different barrier characteristics. The review encompasses different barrier property requirements for flexible food packaging materials, biopolymer utilization in paper coatings using various approaches, and the potential of different nanomaterials and their composites. It also discusses multi-phase and multi-layer coating strategies for imparting multifunctional properties to paper-based packaging. Furthermore, the study addresses biodegradability, recyclability, challenges, and future opportunities in this field, providing insights into sustainable packaging solutions that balance environmental concerns with food safety and quality.

Keywords: Antimicrobial property; Biodegradation and recycling; Biopolymer nanocomposite; Food packaging material; Gas barrier; Moisture barrier; Paper coating.