Active Packaging Based on Chitosan, Fish Gelatin, Zein, and Kafirin Biopolymers: A Promising Strategy for Innovation...

Biopolymer-based active packaging has experienced significant growth in the food industry due to its capacity to enhance product stability and reduce reliance on synthetic preservatives. However, its application in cosmetics remains limited, despite increasing consumer demand for sustainable and preservative-free solutions.

This review evaluates the feasibility of transferring biopolymer-based active packaging technologies from the food sector to cosmetic applications, identifying relevant materials, processing methods, and implementation challenges.

A bibliographic search was conducted across nine databases (2000-2025) using the keywords "active packaging," "antioxidant," "antimicrobial," and "biopolymers."

The most recurrent biopolymers identified were chitosan, fish gelatin, zein, and kafirin, all of which exhibit biodegradability, film-forming capacity, and compatibility with natural additives. Although their intrinsic antioxidant and antimicrobial properties are limited, these can be enhanced through the incorporation of bioactive compounds. Processing techniques such as casting, coating, dry forming, and electrospinning were found to be the most effective, enabling customized packaging designs. Key challenges include cost, sensory attributes, mechanical limitations, and regulatory compliance.

Active packaging systems based on biopolymers-either alone or combined with natural bioactive ingredients-offer a viable innovation pathway for the cosmetics industry. These systems support clean-label claims and ecological positioning, representing a strategic opportunity to adapt validated technologies from the food sector to meet emerging cosmetic market demands.