Bio-based packaging materials for fruit and vegetables-current applications and future trends: A review.

Abstract

A growing concern of green packaging material for fresh fruit and vegetables is highly demanded. Deterioration of fresh fruits and vegetables primary causes by postharvest damage, moisture loss, biochemical changes, and microorganism. To achieve this goal, biopolymers should be economic, renewable, abundant, and capable of preserving microbial growth while having an outstanding thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties. The most current developments in biopolymer-based coatings and films for active fruit and vegetables packaging are described in this review. Synthetic polymers from biomass monomers (PHA and PLA), animal derived biopolymer (chitosan, gelatin, whey protein, casein and others) and wood-based polymers (cellulose, hemicellulose, starch, lignin and others) were among the materials that were most widely exploited for the packaging development of coatings and films. Reinforcement with nanomaterials and incorporating active agents such as antimicrobial, organic (e.g. nanocellulose fibrils), and inorganic materials also address these shortcomings in biopolymer-based composite This review summarized the characteristics and advantages of whole or fresh cut fruit and vegetables bio-based packaging, as well as the methods employed to improve their performance.