Recent advances in chitosan-based active and intelligent packaging films incorporated with flavonoids

Biopolymer-based films are promising packaging materials to maintain food quality, reduce food waste and ensure food safety. Chitosan, a biopolymer with excellent film-forming ability, can act as the carrier for plant-derived bioactive compounds. In the past decade, several studies have reported chitosan-based films incorporated with different classes of flavonoids, including flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, flavonols, flavanols and anthocyanidins. These films, based on their functionality, can be divided into chitosan/flavonoid active packaging films and chitosan/anthocyanin (the glycosylated anthocyanidin) intelligent packaging films. This paper presents a comprehensive review on active and intelligent packaging films prepared from chitosan and different classes of flavonoids, with special attention being paid to the preparation, physical and functional properties, stabilization, and application of the films. Factors affecting the physical and functional properties of the films are summarized. In addition, the challenges for the commercial production and application of the films in active and intelligent packaging fields are discussed.