Valorization and Application of Fruit and Vegetable Wastes and By-Products for Food Packaging Materials

Abstract

The important roles of food packaging are food protection and preservation during processing, transportation, and storage. Food can be altered biologically, chemically, and physically if the packaging is unsuitable or mechanically damaged. Furthermore, packaging is an important marketing and communication tool to consumers. Due to the worldwide problem of environmental pollution by microplastics and the large amounts of unused food wastes and by-products from the food industry, it is important to find more environmentally friendly alternatives. Edible and functional food packaging may be a suitable alternative to reduce food waste and avoid the use of non-degradable plastics. In the present review, the production and assessment of edible food packaging from food waste as well as fruit and vegetable by-products and their applications are demonstrated. Innovative food packaging made of biopolymers and biocomposites, as well as active packaging, intelligent packaging, edible films, and coatings are covered.

By-Products Revalorization with Non-Thermal Treatments to Enhance Phytochemical Compounds of Fruit and Vegetables Derived Products: A Review

“…Related to food packaging obtained from F&V by-products, companies present a special interest due to the interest of circular economy and zero waste strategies around the world during last years. The unique characteristics can be described as follows: (i) to increase antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, (ii) to improve mechanical properties, and, (iii) to protect food products (to increase shelf-life) [ 153 ]. Nowadays, F&V by-product components have been proposed to improve the properties of synthetic or bio-based plastic materials [ 22 ].…”

“…Nowadays, F&V by-product components have been proposed to improve the properties of synthetic or bio-based plastic materials [ 22 ]. F&V by-products powders and extracts are a good strategy for obtaining packaging with renewable and biodegradable biopolymers, composite films with food stability and barrier properties, active films as carriers of antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds and edible and functional food packaging [ 22 , 153 ].…”

Progress in the Valorization of Fruit and Vegetable Wastes: Active Packaging, Biocomposites, By-Products, and Innovative Technologies Used for Bioactive Compound Extraction

“…Pectin is another compound extracted from wastes and used in the polymeric matrix [ 35 ]. Also, peel and seeds contain more phenolic compounds than their fleshy parts [ 26 ]. For example, mango peel has a high level of phenolic content compared to its flesh [ 66 ].…”

“…There are several reviews on the applications of fruit and vegetable wastes. A review conducted by Bayram et al [ 26 ] focused on the potential applications of fruit- and vegetable-based by-products such as biopolymers, biocomposites, active or intelligent packaging, and edible films and coatings. The authors discussed the advantages, disadvantages, and applications of these by-products as well.…”

Supraparticles with a Mechanically Triggerable Color‐Change‐Effect to Equip Coatings with the Ability to Report Damage

“…[5,6] This involves the development of intelligent systems, consisting of sensors and indicators, respectively, that can, on the one hand, record the actual state of the packaging throughout the entire supply chain (via sensors) and, on the other hand, provide an irreversible indication of changes regarding the food quality (via indicators). [1,2,[5][6][7] Sensors are described as instruments that are able to detect an event or a change in their environment, to localize it, or even to quantify it in order to send signals that this change can be investigated in terms of its physical or chemical nature. [1,2] These types of sensors can be, for example, gas sensors, fluorescence-based oxygen sensors, or biosensors.…”