Recent Advances in Intelligent and Active Biobased Packaging Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Food packaging performs three basic functions: containment, the preservation of quality, and protection from various environmental, physical, and microbiological factors. Recently, the role of packaging has increased beyond its basic function due to changing consumer preferences and expectations. In addition, packaging also contributes towards extending the shelf life of the product and acts as a quality indicator of the packed food products. There is also a focus on the development and evaluation of more interactive packaging systems: active and intelligent packaging, commonly known as smart food packaging. These types of systems can interact with the product or indicate the quality of the food to consumers. In active packaging, deliberately added materials, in the form of absorbers or emitters, interact with the inner environment of the package to enhance the shelf life of the food. On the other hand, in intelligent packaging, deliberately added materials interact with the packaging environment and monitor the state (i.e., the storage time, temperature, shelf life, etc.) of the packaged food products.

Plastic polymer materials are widely used for packaging due to their advantages (i.e., flexibility for molding, low cost, and good printability) and high resistance against different environmental and mechanical factors. However, these packaging materials place a burden on the environment as they take years to degrade and pose a risk of releasing chemicals that may impact the quality of the food. Therefore, environmental and health concerns can lead to the use of biodegradable packaging in place of plastic packaging. Biopolymers, as naturally derived materials, including protein, lipids, and polysaccharides, are commonly used as the base materials for biodegradable packaging. They serve many advantages, such as being recyclable, decomposing in a short period, being non-toxic, and being environmentally friendly. Numerous synthetic compounds (pigments, dyes, and chemical substances) are used in developing smart packaging systems. Nevertheless, natural plant-based ingredients are evaluated in terms of acting as an active or intelligent agent in innovative food packaging systems. This Special Issue aims to highlight the most recent advances related to bio-based smart packaging materials and their applications in food products.

Dr. Sabina Galus
Guest Editor

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• active packaging
• intelligent packaging
• edible films
• edible coatings
• biopolymers
• smart packaging