Applications of multifunctional bio-based aerogels in food packaging: A review

The food industry is currently facing two critical challenges: food waste caused by inadequate protection of traditional packaging, and environmental pollution induced by the poor degradability of petroleum-based packaging materials. Against this backdrop, the development of sustainable and multifunctional packaging materials has become an inevitable trend for industrial development. Derived from renewable resources, bio-based aerogels have attracted extensive attention due to their excellent properties such as high specific surface area, ultra-low density, high porosity, and biodegradability, emerging as a promising sustainable alternative to traditional packaging materials. This paper systematically reviews the raw material sources, fabrication methods, functionalization strategies and practical applications of bio-based aerogels in the field of food packaging, highlights the modification techniques tailored to the specific requirements of food packaging, and summarizes the latest application achievements of various techniques in diverse food packaging scenarios. Studies have shown that bio-based aerogels exhibit great application potential in food cushioning protection, active preservation and intelligent monitoring of food freshness. Their multiple functions can effectively prolong the shelf life of food and realize real-time monitoring of food freshness, making them an ideal sustainable material to replace traditional petroleum-based plastic packaging. Future research should prioritize the development of scalable fabrication processes and cost-effective production strategies to accelerate the industrial translation and commercialization of bio-based aerogels.