Advanced Thin Films for Antioxidant Food Packaging and Preservation

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Process Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 922

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Microbiology, School of Chemistry and Food, Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG), Santo Antônio da Patrulha 95500-000, RS, Brazil
Interests: bioactive compounds; active films; hydrolysates; microorganism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ongoing evolution within the food sector demands attention on active antioxidant compounds, particularly as new material types gain prominence. These agents can be incorporated into food contact substrates, such as films or protective coatings. Their purpose is to actively counteract various forms of oxidative degradation, thereby effectively preventing spoilage and significantly extending the inherent freshness of food products.

In this context, the current Special Issue focuses on research with food packaging materials incorporated with active antioxidant components. These active food packaging materials are used to prolong the shelf life of many types of food. This Special Issue welcomes contributions such as reviews, short communications, and research articles that delve into the strategic development of antioxidant-based materials and technologies for both food packaging and preservation. We particularly welcome research focusing on natural antioxidants, coatings, films, and other applications for preserving the nutritional quality of food susceptible to the oxidative process.

We hope this initiative will help in creating innovative antioxidant materials and associated technologies. We aim to unlock new avenues for scientific inquiry and facilitate their successful commercialization, contributing to consistent improvements in food safety and quality to benefit both human well-being and planetary health.

Prof. Dr. Meritaine Da Rocha
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • natural antioxidants
  • antioxidant coatings
  • antioxidant bio-based polymers
  • antioxidant properties of protein films or coatings
  • antioxidant properties of polysaccharides films or coatings

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

20 pages, 846 KB  
Review
Recent Advances in Whey Protein Films Incorporated with Phenolic Compounds: A Review
by Tairine Osório Ferri, Fernanda Arnhold Pagnussatt, Viviane Patrícia Romani, Clarissa Helena Rosa, Márcia Helena Scherer Kurz, Márcia Victória Silveira, Lenise Guimarães de Oliveira and Meritaine da Rocha
Processes 2026, 14(3), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14030561 - 5 Feb 2026
Viewed by 708
Abstract
The use of food packaging derived from petroleum-based polymers has developed significant environmental problems, as these materials require centuries to degrade and release hazardous pollutants. Consequently, the food industry is shifting toward biodegradable alternatives developed from agro-industrial by-products, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and [...] Read more.
The use of food packaging derived from petroleum-based polymers has developed significant environmental problems, as these materials require centuries to degrade and release hazardous pollutants. Consequently, the food industry is shifting toward biodegradable alternatives developed from agro-industrial by-products, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids. Whey protein is a by-product of the cheese industry, which is emerging as a promising material for producing edible and biodegradable films with effective barrier properties. Whey-based films can be incorporated with bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic compounds. These substances, naturally present in fruits, legumes, and vegetable waste, possess potent antimicrobial and antioxidant activities that are essential for extending the shelf life of perishable foods. This review provides a systematic evaluation of how the incorporation of phenolic compounds influences the physicochemical and bioactive properties of whey-based films. Thus, an analysis of film-forming methods, the interaction between protein matrices and phenolic compounds, and a critical discussion of the challenges remaining for their industrial application as active food packaging were evaluated. The discussion focuses on how the incorporation of phenolic extracts influences the physicochemical, mechanical, and barrier properties of the films, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial efficiency. The novelty of this review lies in its comprehensive focus on the sustained release of phenolic compounds from a whey protein film and their application in real food systems. By utilizing these natural additives, the industry can provide sustainable alternatives to synthetic preservatives. Active whey protein packaging represents a viable strategy to inhibit food spoilage, prevent lipid oxidation, and maintain sensory quality, while reducing the environmental problems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Thin Films for Antioxidant Food Packaging and Preservation)
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