Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 12 (5): 699-706, 2012 ISSN 1990-9233 © IDOSI Publications, 2012 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.mejsr.2012.12.5.63241 Corresponding Author: Shobhit Kumar, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology, Delhi-Roorkee Highway, NH-58, Baghpat Crossing, Meerut-250005, U.P. India. Tel: +919412366333. 699 Applications of Biodegradable Pharmaceutical Packaging Materials: A Review Shobhit Kumar and Satish Kumar Gupta Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology Delhi-Roorkee Highway, NH-58, Baghpat Crossing, Meerut-250005, U.P. India Abstract: Exploitation of plastic packaging films at large scale lead to ecological trouble because of their non- biodegradability. Utilization of plastics as packaging material has to be controlled to protect environment. A supporting pollution free environment can be created by use of eco-friendly packaging. Consequently, the idea of biodegradability has the benefits of both user-friendly and eco-friendly features. Eco-friendly packaging materials are safe to enclose pharmaceutical products as they are non-toxic. There are various packaging materials to pack different dosage forms. Starches are widely used as eco-friendly packaging material, as it is from natural resources. They cause no harm to the environment and living species. In this review article, functions and selection factors of packaging eco-friendly materials are overviewed and also their future need is also highlighted. Key words: Packaging Material Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Environment INTRODUCTION materials fabricated from natural polymers. Bio-polymeric Worsening of environment is directly caused by soil, proteins, polysaccharides, lipids and their derivatives, air and water pollution. Industries of toxic chemicals are which are abundantly available in nature [4]. Natural responsible for pollution. The toxic chemicals enter into bio-polymeric films have the advantage over synthetic the natural streams, which is hazardous to environment. biopolymers since they are totally biodegradable by living In developing countries, anywhere plastics are thrown organisms and are derived from renewable raw materials unsystematically; so there are chances that they can [5]. Bio-polymeric films have also desirable overall be consumed by grazing cattle. This may result in various mechanical and barrier properties [6]. problems in cattle including choking gastrointestinal tract, indigestion. Moreover, the additives present in plastics Packaging: Packaging requirements for pharmaceutical (such as synthetic colouring materials derived from coal products are complex than those of other non-edible tar dyes, plasticizers and other ingredients) may undergo products. Pharmaceutical packaging is an art and science metabolism and produce toxic compounds [1]. In India, of preserving and protecting pharmaceutical product from daily about 80,000 metric tons of municipal solid waste is damage by enclosing them. Packaging material is any generated in which 3 % is plastic wastes [2]. On other side materials which enclose/surround the product since the in USA, each day 400,000 tons of hard garbage is time of manufacturing to till final usage [7, 8]. The main generated, in which plastics constitute 30 % of its volume. roles of a packaging material are to protect and This solid waste disposal causes new challenges. present the products. Packaging protects the product Usual methods for managing plastic wastes comprise during storage (loss of colour, taste or odour), recycling, land filling, incineration and depolymerisation transportation and at the time of utilization. Packaging [3]. The main problem with plastics is their resistance to also enhances convenient handling and compliance to biodegradation. They preserve in nature undegraded even the product [8, 9]. Packaging material should be such after composting by heat and radiation of sun. There is that it protect product from atmospheric gas, for need for awareness regarding the alternative packaging achieving a long shelf life [1]. films are generally equipped by use of materials such as