A Review of Recent Advances in the Photocatalytic Activity of Protein and Polysaccharide-Based Nanocomposite Packaging Films: Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Mechanical, and Strength Properties

In the past decades, the use of plastic films based on synthetic polymers increased rapidly due to features such as ease of use, and reasonable cost. Today, environmental problems such as the non-biodegradability of synthetic polymers on the one hand, as well as problems caused by the safety of food packaged with synthetic polymers on the other hand, have led to the development of research on the use of natural polymers in the production of biodegradable films. One solution is the application of nanotechnology in the production of nanocomposite films to solve the practical problems of biodegradable films based on protein and polysaccharide biopolymers. The production of nanocomposite films with photocatalytic activities, in addition to having antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits of bioactive compounds, increases structural strength and it also affects the mechanical characteristics and physical and chemical properties of edible films. The aim of this review is to overview the general and current scenario of protein and polysaccharide based nanocomposite films with photocatalytic activity.