Lotus-leaf-bioinspired biomass-based films for intelligent /active packaging

The integration of intelligent and active packaging strategies with biodegradable naturally-derived materials represents a significant breakthrough in perennial food-safety/-quality challenges including food-spoilage/-waste/-counterfeiting and packaging-caused environmental pollutions. In this study, we developed a lotus-leaf-inspired, all-natural biomass-based intelligent/active packaging material (gelatin-bacterial cellulose-curcumin composite, L-GBC) using gelatin, bacterial cellulose, and curcumin as functional building blocks. This innovative material integrates multiple functionalities including visual freshness monitoring, anti-counterfeiting authentication, and food preservation in a robust system. Due to the on-demand constructed lotus-leaf-like papillary structure, L-GBC possesses significantly improved hydrophobicity and water-vapor barrier properties, fundamentally eradicating the scientific issue that the hydrophilic natures of the base-materials immensely restrict the packaging applications. Meanwhile, L-GBC exhibits prominent microplastic-free, mechanical properties and accessorial multifunctional active food-preservation characteristics, including ascendant antioxidant capacity, UV-shielding, biodegradability, and antibacterial properties. Furthermore, L-GBC demonstrates high pH sensitivity and fluorescence effects, which can be applied to intelligently detect biogenic amines released during protein-rich food spoilage, enabling real-time monitoring of food freshness and anti-counterfeiting functions. Comprehensive application experiment substantiates that L-GBC effectively maintains pork's freshness for five days, exceeding that of traditional PE film by two days. This study presents the promising potential of new-generation microplastic-free food packaging materials, exhibiting comprehensive versatility, representing a significant advancement in intelligent and active packaging technology.