State-of-the-Art Insights and Potential Applications of Cellulose-Based Hydrogels in Food Packaging: Advances towards Sustainable Trends

Abstract

Leveraging sustainable packaging resources in the circular economy framework has gained significant attention in recent years as a means of minimizing waste and mitigating the negative environmental impact of packaging materials. In line with this progression, bio-based hydrogels are being explored for their potential application in a variety of fields including food packaging. Hydrogels are three-dimensional, hydrophilic networks composed of a variety of polymeric materials linked by chemical (covalent bonds) or physical (non-covalent interactions) cross-linking. The unique hydrophilic nature of hydrogels provides a promising solution for food packaging systems, specifically in regulating moisture levels and serving as carriers for bioactive substances, which can greatly affect the shelf life of food products. In essence, the synthesis of cellulose-based hydrogels (CBHs) from cellulose and its derivatives has resulted in hydrogels with several appealing features such as flexibility, water absorption, swelling capacity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, stimuli sensitivity, and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the most recent trends and applications of CBHs in the food packaging sector including CBH sources, processing methods, and crosslinking methods for developing hydrogels through physical, chemical, and polymerization. Finally, the recent advancements in CBHs, which are being utilized as hydrogel films, coatings, and indicators for food packaging applications, are discussed in detail. These developments have great potential in creating sustainable packaging systems.

Synthesis and Characterisation of 4D-Printed NVCL-co-DEGDA Resin Using Stereolithography 3D Printing

“…The network structure of the physically crosslinked samples is formed by employing non-covalent interactions, including but not limited to hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, and physical entanglements among the polymer chains [37]. Physically crosslinked samples can be reversibly altered, showing poor mechanical properties [34].…”

“…The formation of covalent bonds leads to the samplesʹ mechanical strength and stability [36]. Materials that undergo chemical crosslinking frequently demonstrate improved thermal and chemical stability as a result of the robust covalent bonds formed between the polymer chains [37].…”

Light Processable Methacrylated Carbon Dot-Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Resins with Potential Applications from Dye Adsorption to Antibacterial Gels and Wet Wipes

“…The commercial water-soluble cellulose derivatives, such as hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), can be easily modified by, e.g., methacrylation to provide groups that can be utilized for the fabrication of more stable covalently cross-linked gels. , Such gels already find commercial applications in many fields such as drug delivery, hygiene products, contact lenses, wound dressings, water purification, agriculture, and many others. − HEC is also an interesting polymer due to its antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and rheological characteristics . It is used in many industrial and biotechnological applications, such as cosmetics, textile cleaning solutions, gelling, thickening agent, and pharmaceutical applications. − …”

Silicon-Doped Carbon Dots Crosslinked Carboxymethyl Cellulose Gel: Detection and Adsorption of Fe3+

“…Cellulose-based materials have been widely studied for heavy metal adsorption due to their excellent physicochemical properties, mechanical performance, and renewability. Gel materials with cellulose and its derivatives as the framework have attracted significant attention due to their high surface area and porous structure [7,8]. Cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, and ethyl cellulose contain oxygencontaining functional groups that can form gel membranes through physical crosslinking Gels 2024, 10, 285 2 of 14 via van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds [9,10].…”

“…Chemically crosslinked gels, on the other hand, possess stronger stability and mechanical properties, thus finding wider applications [11]. Nevertheless, commonly used crosslinking agents, such as glutaraldehyde and epichlorohydrin, are toxic and incompatible with environmentally friendly cellulose-based materials [7,12]. Therefore, there is a need to explore novel and green crosslinking agents.…”