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MINI REVIEW article

Front. Chem.
Sec. Polymer Chemistry
Volume 12 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1441650
This article is part of the Research Topic Polymer Functional Composite View all articles

Advances and recent trends in plant-based materials and edible films: A minireview

Provisionally accepted
David B. Olawade David B. Olawade 1*Ojima Wada Ojima Wada 2Abimbola O. Ige Abimbola O. Ige 3
  • 1 University of East London, London, United Kingdom
  • 2 Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
  • 3 University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Plant-based materials and edible films have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional packaging materials, offering sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. This mini-review highlights the significance of plant-based materials derived from polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, showcasing their renewable and biodegradable nature. The properties of edible films, including mechanical strength, barrier properties, optical characteristics, thermal stability, and shelf-life extension, are explored, showcasing their suitability for food packaging and other applications.Moreover, the application of 3D printing technology allows for customized designs and complex geometries, paving the way for personalized nutrition. Functionalization strategies, such as active and intelligent packaging, incorporation of bioactive compounds, and antimicrobial properties, are also discussed, offering additional functionalities and benefits. Challenges and future directions are identified, emphasizing the importance of sustainability, scalability, regulation, and performance optimization. The potential impact of plant-based materials and edible films is highlighted, ranging from reducing reliance on fossil fuels to mitigating plastic waste and promoting a circular economy. In conclusion, plant-based materials and edible films hold great potential in revolutionizing the packaging industry, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional materials. Embracing these innovations will contribute to reducing plastic waste, promoting a circular economy, and creating a sustainable and resilient planet.

    Keywords: Plant-based materials, Edible Films, Food Packaging, Plastic waste, nanocomposite

    Received: 31 May 2024; Accepted: 08 Aug 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Olawade, Wada and Ige. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: David B. Olawade, University of East London, London, United Kingdom

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.