Active flexible films for food packaging: a review

• Published in: Polymers 2022-06, Vol.14 (12), p.1-32
• Main Authors: Azevedo, Ana G., Barros, Carolina Lemos, Miranda, Sónia, Machado, A. V., Castro, Olga, Silva, Bruno, Saraiva, Margarida, Silva, Ana Sanches, Pastrana, Lorenzo, Carneiro, O. S., Cerqueira, Miguel A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active packaging; Antimicrobial film; Antioxidant film; Biopolymers; Carbon dioxide; Consumers; Food packaging; Food packaging industry; Food products; Food quality; High temperature; Inorganic materials; Microorganisms; Polyethylene; Polymer films; Polymers; Protective coatings; Review; Scavenging; Science & Technology
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym14122442

Active food packaging is a dynamic area where the scientific community and industry have been trying to find new strategies to produce innovative packaging that is economically viable and compatible with conventional production processes. The materials used to develop active packaging can be organized into scavenging and emitting materials, and based on organic and inorganic materials. However, the incorporation of these materials in polymer-based flexible packaging is not always straightforward. The challenges to be faced are mainly related to active agents’ sensitivity to high temperatures or difficulties in dispersing them in the high viscosity polymer matrix. This review provides an overview of methodologies and processes used in the production of active packaging, particularly for the production of active flexible films at the industrial level. The direct incorporation of active agents in polymer films is presented, focusing on the processing conditions and their effect on the active agent, and final application of the packaging material. Moreover, the incorporation of active agents by coating technologies and supercritical impregnation are presented. Finally, the use of carriers to help the incorporation of active agents and several methodologies is discussed. This review aims to guide academic and industrial researchers in the development of active flexible packaging, namely in the selection of the materials, methodologies, and process conditions. Conducted under the project "MobFood-Mobilizing scientific and technological knowledge in response to the challenges of the agri-food market" (POCI-01-0247-FEDER-024524), by "MobFood" Consortium, and financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Incentive System to Research and Technological development, within the Portugal2020 Competitiveness and Internationalization Operational Program. IPC researchers acknowledge also funding by National Funds through FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, References UIDB/05256/2020 and UIDP/05256/2020.