Plant-based natural fibers for food packaging: a green approach to the reinforcement of biopolymers.

Abstract

Petro-based plastics are linked to various environmental issues throughout their lifecycle, including pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, persistence in marine and terrestrial habitats, etc. The utilization of biopolymers is a prominent substitute for petro-based materials. Further, the reinforcement of natural fibers (NFs) to biopolymers significantly improves the functionality of biopolymers. The functionality of NFs is crucial to promote the interfacial interaction with biopolymers and achieving high-performance materials which could compete with traditional petro-based materials. NFs have several benefits over synthetic fiber, including biodegradability, low density and cost, lighter weight, superior life cycle, and good mechanical properties. This review article focuses on the characterization and properties of plant-based NFs and their synergistic application. This thorough assessment of the state-of-the-art focuses on current research on how NFs can be used for their potential role as reinforcement in the packaging industry.