Gelatin-based materials: fabrication, properties and applications in the food packaging system

As a natural biodegradable polymer derived from animal proteins, gelatin exhibits significant potential in environmentally friendly food packaging. This review briefly outlines the preparation and cross-linking methods of gelatin, explores the regulatory mechanisms of different cross-linking strategies on material properties, and analyzes the multi-form application characteristics of gelatin in packaging, elucidating its structure-property relationships. Additionally, this review summarizes intelligent active packaging systems based on gelatin, which integrate bioactive substances (e.g., antimicrobial agents, pH indicators) to achieve real-time food freshness monitoring and shelf-life extension. By deeply analyzing the interplay between the composition, structure, and performance of gelatin-based materials, this review provides innovative insights for designing intelligent and sustainable gelatin-based packaging materials, while highlighting future challenges in scalability and regulatory standardization.