Improving Antimicrobial Activity of Biopolymer-Based Films: Mechanisms, Functionalization Strategies, and Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Biopolymer-based films are increasingly recognized as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based materials across a wide range of applications, including food packaging, biomedical systems, coatings, and environmental technologies. Polysaccharides such as chitosan, alginate, starch, and cellulose exhibit excellent film-forming ability and, in some cases, intrinsic antimicrobial properties. However, their broader practical application remains limited by insufficient antimicrobial efficiency, moisture sensitivity, and instability under real operating conditions.

Improving the antimicrobial activity of biopolymer-based films has therefore become a key research focus. Recent advances highlight a variety of effective strategies, including the incorporation of natural and synthetic antimicrobial agents, nanostructuring, chemical functionalization, and the use of multifunctional plasticizers or deep eutectic systems. Despite this progress, a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between film structure, molecular interactions, transport phenomena, and antimicrobial performance remains a critical challenge.

This Special Issue aims to present recent advances in improving the antimicrobial properties of biopolymer-based films, with particular emphasis on underlying mechanisms, functionalization strategies, and diverse applications. Contributions that address both fundamental insights and practical applications in areas such as packaging, biomedicine, agriculture, and environmental protection are highly encouraged.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Mechanisms of antimicrobial activity and their enhancement in biopolymer-based films;
• Functionalization strategies (e.g., nanoparticles, essential oils, and bioactive compounds);
• The role of plasticizers and additives in improving antimicrobial and barrier properties;
• Structure–property–function relationships and transport phenomena;
• Moisture interactions and environmental stability;
• Biopolymer blends, composites, and multilayer systems;
• Applications in food packaging, biomedical materials, agriculture, and environmental systems;
• Coatings, films, and membranes with antimicrobial functionality;
• Sustainable and biodegradable materials for advanced applications.

We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Gabriela Dudek
Guest Editor

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