Fucoidan as a Key Component in Edible Packaging Materials: A Comprehensive Review From Sustainable Production to...

Area of Science:

• Marine biotechnology
• Polymer science
• Food packaging technology

Background:

• Plastic waste from food packaging poses environmental risks, necessitating sustainable alternatives.
• Fucoidan, a biopolymer from brown algae, exhibits properties suitable for packaging applications.
• The unique sulfate groups in fucoidan offer antioxidant and antibacterial functionalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the preparation and performance of fucoidan-based edible films.
• To analyze fucoidan's role in enhancing material properties for packaging.
• To summarize applications of fucoidan-based packaging materials.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of 55 studies on fucoidan-based films.
• Analysis of preparation techniques: solution casting, ionic crosslinking, electrospinning, layer-by-layer assembly.
• Evaluation of fucoidan's impact on mechanical, barrier, and antioxidant properties.

Main Results:

• Fucoidan incorporation improves film thickness, UV barrier, mechanical strength, and thermal stability.
• Enhanced water-vapor barrier properties and reduced moisture sensitivity observed in crosslinked films.
• Fucoidan provides significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral activities through its sulfate groups.

Conclusions:

• Fucoidan-based films are a promising, multifunctional material for edible food packaging.
• These films demonstrate efficacy in preserving perishable foods.
• Fucoidan packaging offers a safe, intelligent, and sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.