Molecular-Scale Design and Applications of Food Packaging: Eco-Friendly Materials and Technologies
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 274
Special Issue Editors
Interests: food safety; nanotechnology; hydrocolloid films for food coatings
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: food science; biomaterials; nanotechnology; pharmaceutical formulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Food packaging materials play a critical role in ensuring food safety, extending shelf life, and reducing environmental burdens associated with food production and distribution. With the growing global emphasis on sustainability and the rapid evolution of materials science and technology, the food packaging industry is undergoing a significant transformation. In particular, the development and application of biodegradable polymers, bio-based composites, and functional nanomaterials have introduced innovative solutions for designing packaging systems that are both eco-friendly and capable of meeting modern performance demands.
However, despite the increasing availability and diversity of these sustainable materials, several challenges remain unresolved. Conventional petroleum-based packaging continues to contribute to long-term environmental pollution, while many biodegradable alternatives suffer from limitations in mechanical strength, barrier properties, and thermal stability.
This Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that address current challenges and opportunities in sustainable food packaging. We welcome contributions that explore the development, characterization, and application of novel food packaging materials and technologies, especially those including analysis/discussion on molecular level. Special emphasis will be placed on the design of novel packaging material, as well as their formation/degradation mechanism and environmental impacts. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Molecular synthesis design and development of biodegradable and bio-based food packaging materials (eg. PLA, PHA, PBAT);
- Advances in the structure and functional characterization of novel packaging materials;
- Smart and active packaging systems incorporating sensors, indicators, or controlled-release agents (ROS scavengers, carbon dioxide emitters/absorbers; ethylene absorbers, antimicrobial agents);
- Molecular components of edible films and coatings for perishable food categories;
- Degradation pathways and molecular mechanisms (eg. photodegradation/biodegradation) of degradable materials.
Dr. Xi Yu
Dr. Tian Zhong
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- sustainable packaging
- biodegradable materials
- smart packaging
- active packaging
- food safety
- environmental impact
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