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The Pharma Innovation Journal 2023; SP-12(7): 1497-1505
ISSN (E): 2277-7695
ISSN (P): 2349-8242
NAAS Rating: 5.23
TPI 2023; SP-12(7): 1497-1505
© 2023 TPI
www.thepharmajournal.com
Received: 23-05-2023
Accepted: 26-06-2023
Gyan Prakash
Assistant Professor, Department
of Food Technology, AKS
University, Satna, Madhya
Pradesh, India
Rajesh Kumar Mishra
Assistant Professor, Department
of Food Technology, AKS
University, Satna, Madhya
Pradesh, India
Corresponding Author:
Gyan Prakash
Assistant Professor, Department
of Food Technology, AKS
University, Satna, Madhya
Pradesh, India
Edible and bio-based food packaging: A review
Gyan Prakash and Rajesh Kumar Mishra
Abstract
The development of edible/biodegradable films/coatings is a key and unique field of exploration within
food packaging which possesses enormous commercial and environmental potential. The potential use of
edible packaging has been well recognized by many research groups and the food and pharmaceutical
industry as an alternative or synergistic complement to conventional packaging to enhance food
protection and/or recyclability of packaging. Various innovative uses of edible films and coatings have
been proposed as both new applications and alternatives to existing technologies. The dry thermoplastic
process is rapidly developing as a viable commercial process for the production of edible film-forming
materials, which can be used in food-grade coatings and soluble packaging to create more effective and
convenient packaging solutions, among others, and with environmentally friendly approaches, are a
challenge for research and development in the packaging industry.
Keywords: Edible films, edible coatings, starch, chitosan, egg white protein, whey protein essential oils,
plant extracts, polyphenols
Introduction
Of the 78 million tonnes of plastic packaging produced worldwide each year, only 14% is
recycled. Nine million tonnes of uncollected lightweight floating plastic ends up in our oceans
every year. Most of them come from Most of the recycled plastic is shredded, melted and
converted into products such as timber, fleece and carpets, but these products still end up in
landfills. Manufacturers are making bottles and shrink wrap thinner and thinner, but the facts
remain the same. Plastics are made from non-renewable oil or natural gas developing countries
that lack the infrastructure to manage them. The problem is expected to worsen as these
countries become wealthier and inevitably begin to consume more processed foods. packaging
waste. Resources, and in most cases are never recycled. The use of food packaging is a
socioeconomic indicator of population purchasing power or Gross domestic product increase
and local (rural and urban) food availability. The utilization of edible packaging can reduce the
complexity of overall packaging requirements by allowing conversion from multilayer or
multilevel packaging to a single-component package, resulting in source reduction and
improved recyclability of the simplified packaging system without compromising protective
functions (Krochta 2002)
[27]
. Edible packaging materials can also be used for nonedible
packaging as an O2- or grease-barrier layer to improve protective functions and
biodegradability of multilayer packaging (Hong & Krochta 2003, 2004; Han & Krochta 2001,
Chan & Krochta 2001a, b; Lin & Krochta 2003, Lee et al. 2008)
[22, 23, 20, 5-6, 31, 30]
.
History of Food Packaging
Hundreds of years ago, food was mostly grown and produced locally and therefore did not
require packaging. Except, of course, for luxuries such as sugar, which were imported in ships'
sacks and barrels. However, as time passed, the population increased, industry developed, and
food transportation became essential. The Industrial Revolution brought many innovations,
such as metal cans and cardboard boxes. Manufacturing processes have improved
significantly, and luxury goods suppliers have agreed that the quality of packaging should
reflect the quality of the food.
Quality at the time meant toughness and longevity, so the packaging was designed to serve
multiple functions. Great progress has been made in the last 30 years. Polyethylene and
polyethylene terephthalate were also developed for food pouches and foil covers,
revolutionizing the design of aluminum cans with simpler, more cost-effective designs.
Although invented in the 1950s, the first barcode scanners weren't installed in supermarkets
until the mid-1970s.