Seaweed polysaccharide-based functional materials for intelligent food packaging: A review

Environmental concerns associated with conventional petroleum-based plastic packaging have driven the development of sustainable intelligent food packaging materials. Seaweed-derived polysaccharides have attracted increasing attention because of their renewability, biodegradability, and good film-forming properties. This review critically reviews recent progress in the application of seaweed-derived polysaccharides in intelligent food packaging. Particular attention is given to the structures and properties of alginate, carrageenan, and agar, while the application potential of other seaweed-derived polysaccharides is also discussed. On this basis, the review follows a structure-preparation-performance-intelligent response framework to examine major preparation methods and their effects on material properties and response behavior. Applications of seaweed polysaccharide-based materials in freshness indication, sensing, and information traceability are also summarized. The analysis indicates that the structural characteristics of seaweed-derived polysaccharides, processing methods, and interactions with functional components jointly influence packaging performance and intelligent responses. Overall, the development of seaweed polysaccharide-based intelligent packaging depends on the coordinated optimization of material performance, intelligent functions, and practical applicability.