Comparison of Protein Content, Availability, and Different Properties of Plant Protein Sources with Their Application in Packaging

Abstract

Plant-based proteins are considered to be one of the most promising biodegradable polymers for green packaging materials. Despite this, the practical application of the proteins in the packaging industry on a large scale has yet to be achieved. In the following review, most of the data about plant protein-based packaging materials are presented in two parts. Firstly, the crude protein content of oilseed cakes and meals, cereals, legumes, vegetable waste, fruit waste, and cover crops are indexed, along with the top global producers. In the second part, we present the different production techniques (casting, extrusion, and molding), as well as compositional parameters for the production of bioplastics from the best protein sources including sesame, mung, lentil, pea, soy, peanut, rapeseed, wheat, corn, amaranth, sunflower, rice, sorghum, and cottonseed. The inclusion of these protein sources in packaging applications is also evaluated based on their various properties such as barrier, thermal, and mechanical properties, solubility, surface hydrophobicity, water uptake capacity, and advantages. Having this information could assist the readers in exercising judgement regarding the right source when approving the applications of these proteins as biodegradable packaging material.

Synthesis and thermomechanical properties of bioplastics and biocomposites: a systematic review

“…Image analysis was performed on the microstructure images using available optical techniques. [61][62][63]…”

The Influence of the Structure of Selected Polymers on Their Properties and Food-Related Applications

“…Proteins application in food packages, including both edible and non-edible coatings and films was extensively reviewed recently [ 58 , 59 ]. A lot of scientific attention is devoted to enhancing properties of protein-based films and coatings being an attractive replacement for traditional petroleum-based films.…”

Valorization of Starch to Biobased Materials: A Review

“…To this end, the development of novel materials such as aerogels and biofoams from starch has increased over the past decades. Besides, extant studies have documented the application of biomaterials for thermal insulation [ 2 , 15 , 16 ], medical purposes [ 15 , 16 ], chemical additives [ 17 ], and food packaging [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ], amongst many other purposes. Few scholars have researched the pathways of valorizing starch into various products, which are not limited to those manufactured in cosmetics, nutraceuticals, food, and feed additives [ 23 , 24 ].…”