Recent advances in protein-based coatings for food packaging: a review

• Published in: Journal of food measurement & characterization 2024-07, Vol.18 (7), p.5171-5185
• Main Authors: Paidari, Saeed, Nafchi, Abdoreza Mohammadi, Vahedi, Shima, Beigi, Morvarid, Al-Hilifi, Sawsan Ali, Zamindar, Nafiseh, Sajadizadeh, Hosna, Abbasi, Sanaz, Nateghi, Leila
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural wastes; Amino acids; Beans; Biodegradability; Biodegradation; Biopolymers; Bonding strength; Chemical bonds; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Coatings; Disintegration; Disulfide bonds; Engineering; Food; Food additives; Food packaging; Food Science; Information processing; Lipids; Plastic debris; Polysaccharides; Proteins; Raw materials; Review Paper; Saccharides; Toxic hazards; Toxic wastes
• ISSN: 2193-4126; 2193-4134
• DOI: 10.1007/s11694-024-02491-0

The huge and increasing volume of worldwide plastic waste is receiving considerable attention nowadays due to its resistance to disintegration and toxic environmental components that pose a hazard to humans. In response to this issue, several efforts have been concentrated on edible biopolymer-based food packaging. Biodegradable films and coating can be formed by macromolecules such as polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. Among these compounds, protein is superior because of having strong intermolecular bonds that are essential for film formation. Protein-based coatings provide higher mechanical and gas barrier properties. However, the hydrophilic nature of proteins renders the water barrier qualities of their coatings inadequate. The capability to form protein-based films and coatings can be influenced by amino acids and their distribution and polarity which determines cross-bonds between hydrogen, amino acids, and disulfide bonds. The materials used to produce protein-based packaging films and coatings can be divided into two categories: vegetable proteins and animal proteins. Animal proteins (collagen, gelatine, etc.) and plant proteins, especially graminacea (wheat, maize, rice, barley, etc.), asteraceae (sunflower), and leguminaceae (beans), are currently the most well-investigated biopolymers for film and coating production. Low-cost raw materials, some of which are even agricultural waste, are utilized to make biopolymers. Various additives have been suggested to enhance the characteristics of coatings. Information about biodegradable films and coatings is widely cited in the references. This article exclusively provides the reader with an overview of protein-based biodegradable food packaging for further studies and research.