Recent Advances in the Development of Active and Intelligent Packaging Films Using Fruit Peel Powders

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Food Science
• Sustainable Packaging

Background:

• Fruit peels, a byproduct of fruit processing, contain valuable biopolymers and bioactive compounds.
• Utilizing fruit peels as powders for packaging films aligns with circular economy principles.
• Fruit peel powders (FPPs) can be incorporated into films as fillers or as the primary matrix.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the preparation, structure, properties, and potential of FPP-filled and FPP-based films for active and intelligent packaging.
• To compare the performance of FPP-filled and FPP-based films.
• To discuss current challenges and future directions in this field.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review on fruit peel powder film preparation and characterization.
• Analysis of structural differences between FPP-filled and FPP-based films.
• Evaluation of mechanical, barrier, antioxidant, antimicrobial, pH-sensitive, and biodegradable properties.

Main Results:

• FPP-filled films exhibit compact structures with superior mechanical and barrier properties.
• FPP-based films often have cracked structures with weaker properties.
• Both film types demonstrate significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, pH-sensitive, and biodegradable functionalities.

Conclusions:

• Fruit peel-derived films hold substantial promise for active and intelligent packaging applications.
• Understanding the distinct properties of FPP-filled versus FPP-based films is crucial for optimizing their use.
• Further research is needed to overcome current challenges and fully realize the potential of these sustainable packaging materials.