Antioxidant Bio-Based and Biodegradable Polymer Films for Sustainable Food Packaging.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Food Packaging Technology
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Antioxidant biopolymeric films (ABFs) are sustainable alternatives for food packaging.
• Current research focuses on enhancing functional performance alongside biodegradability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify convergent design principles for ABFs.
• To analyze global trends, material strategies, processing, and structure-property relationships in ABF research (2015-2025).

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature mapping of research from 2015-2025.
• Thematic analysis of trends, materials, processing, and structure-property relationships.

Main Results:

• ABFs are shifting from simple substitutions to performance-driven systems modulating mass transport.
• Polysaccharide and protein matrices are common, but hydrophilicity poses challenges for barrier properties and release.
• Blends, composites, and multilayer structures are used to optimize mechanical stability and antioxidant migration.
• Processing methods significantly influence diffusion and release kinetics.
• Effectiveness hinges on polymer-bioactive interactions and structure-property relationships, not solely additive concentration.

Conclusions:

• ABFs can be engineered as functional systems to synchronize antioxidant release with food oxidation.
• Future industrial implementation requires scalable fabrication and predictive frameworks aligned with circular economy principles.
• ABFs represent a key advancement in sustainable and functional food packaging.