Nanocellulose Bio-Based Composites for Food Packaging

Abstract

The food industry is increasingly demanding advanced and eco-friendly sustainable packaging materials with improved physical, mechanical and barrier properties. The currently used materials are synthetic and non-degradable, therefore raising environmental concerns. Consequently, research efforts have been made in recent years towards the development of bio-based sustainable packaging materials. In this review, the potential of nanocelluloses as nanofillers or as coatings for the development of bio-based nanocomposites is discussed, namely: (i) the physico-chemical interaction of nanocellulose with the adjacent polymeric phase, (ii) the effect of nanocellulose modification/functionalization on the final properties of the composites, (iii) the production methods for such composites, and (iv) the effect of nanocellulose on the overall migration, toxicity, and the potential risk to human health. Lastly, the technology readiness level of nanocellulose and nanocellulose based composites for the market of food packaging is discussed.

Biobased superhydrophobic coating enabled by nanoparticle assembly

“…Extensive research has been reported with petroleum based polymer matrices, though far fewer studies have been carried out with biobased polymer matrices. 12,13 More importantly, the understanding of molecular structures and interactions within biobased polymers is very limited, as these polymers oen possess complicated architectures and vary from different parent sources. [14][15][16][17][18] The fundamental study and systematic comparison of nanoparticle assembly structures within different biopolymers are needed to provide insight on the interactions and assembly mechanism.…”

Spherical Cellulose Micro and Nanoparticles: A Review of Recent Developments and Applications

“…Although cellulose is mainly used in the pulp and paper industry, it has been exploited, along with its derivatives (e.g., cellulose acetate (CA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and ethylcellulose (EC)) and nanoforms (i.e., cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) [ 36 , 48 , 49 ]), for other purposes, including textiles [ 50 ], fuel cells [ 51 , 52 , 53 ], electronics [ 54 , 55 ], water remediation [ 56 , 57 , 58 ], food packaging [ 59 , 60 , 61 ], cosmetics [ 62 , 63 ], drug delivery [ 64 , 65 ], cell and tissue cultures [ 66 , 67 ], just to mention some examples. In order to be applied in these multiple domains, cellulose needs to be extracted from biomass resources by conventional technologies (e.g., kraft pulping) or innovative methodologies (e.g., extraction with ionic liquids (ILs) or deep eutectic solvents (DES)) [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 ] or produced in its pure form by non-pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Komagataeibacter ) [ 63 , 72 , 73 ].…”

Carbohydrate Nanomaterials Addition to Starch‐Based Packaging: A Review about Fundamentals and Application

“…Regardless of the type of nanomaterial, the process conditions are essential to achieve the dispersion of the nanomaterial in the main matrix. [ 74 ] Several methods are mentioned in the literature including solvent casting, melt processing, and layer‐by‐layer assembly.…”