TY - JOUR
T1 - Polysaccharide-based membranes in food packaging applications
AU - Ferreira, Ana R V
AU - Alves, Vítor D.
AU - Coelhoso, Isabel M.
PY - 2016/4/13
Y1 - 2016/4/13
N2 - Plastic packaging is essential nowadays. However, the huge environmental problem caused by landfill disposal of non-biodegradable polymers in the end of life has to be minimized and preferentially eliminated. The solution may rely on the use of biopolymers, in particular polysaccharides. These macromolecules with film-forming properties are able to produce attracting biodegradable materials, possibly applicable in food packaging. Despite all advantages of using polysaccharides obtained from different sources, some drawbacks, mostly related to their low resistance to water, mechanical performance and price, have hindered their wider use and commercialization. Nevertheless, with increasing attention and research on this field, it has been possible to trace some strategies to overcome the problems and recognize solutions. This review summarizes some of the most used polysaccharides in food packaging applications.
AB - Plastic packaging is essential nowadays. However, the huge environmental problem caused by landfill disposal of non-biodegradable polymers in the end of life has to be minimized and preferentially eliminated. The solution may rely on the use of biopolymers, in particular polysaccharides. These macromolecules with film-forming properties are able to produce attracting biodegradable materials, possibly applicable in food packaging. Despite all advantages of using polysaccharides obtained from different sources, some drawbacks, mostly related to their low resistance to water, mechanical performance and price, have hindered their wider use and commercialization. Nevertheless, with increasing attention and research on this field, it has been possible to trace some strategies to overcome the problems and recognize solutions. This review summarizes some of the most used polysaccharides in food packaging applications.
KW - Biopolymer-derived membranes
KW - Microbial polysaccharides
KW - Packaging
KW - Polysaccharides
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84964355564&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/membranes6020022
DO - 10.3390/membranes6020022
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:84964355564
VL - 6
JO - Membranes
JF - Membranes
SN - 0076-6356
IS - 2
M1 - 22
ER -