Bio-based nanocomposites for food packaging and their effect in food quality and safety

Abstract

Bio-based packaging has undergone a remarkable growth in recent years due to great advances in materials science and processing technology, and is expected to have a major impact on the food market in the near future. Food packaging is used as barrier, but also to maintain quality and safety during food product transport and storage, to extend shelf life and add nutritional value. With this goal, the use of bio-nanocomposites appears as a promising solution to improve the properties of existing biopolymer-based packaging materials, and for development of novel functionalities, while permitting replacement of nonbiodegradable plastic packaging materials. This chapter provides an overview of the latest food packaging evolutions and expectations of forthcoming developments involving the use of bio-based nanocomposites in biodegradable packaging. Food protection, safety, environmental and health concerns, interest in developing biodegradable and renewable materials for food packaging, and applications of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies will be duly addressed.