Biopolymer-based coatings containing active ingredients for cellulosic packaging: A review

Cellulosic material is considered to be excellent for food packaging due to its low cost, easy degradability, and high recyclability rates. However, its application is still limited due to its porous structure and high hydrophilicity, which provide high permeabilities to grease, gas and water vapor. One solution to fix these issues and to bring new functionalities that can also extend food shelf life is to coat the paper substrate with biopolymers containing nanoparticles and/or components with antioxidant and/or antimicrobial activities. In this regard, the aim of this study was to review some aspects of the current knowledge critically and didactically on applications of biopolymer-based coatings incorporated with active components and/or nanoparticles on paper/paperboard materials usually applied as primary cellulosic active packaging. Studies have shown that this combination can positively improve the physical, mechanical, and barrier properties of cellulosic packaging, along with the enhancement of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. A better understanding of these aspects enables the use of other active compounds to develop more functionality to the packaging itself as well as to apply it to food packaging in general.