Edible films and coatings: a review.

Bioplastics - typically plastics manufactured from bio-based polymers - stand to contribute to more sustainable commercial plastic life cycles as part of a circular economy, in which virgin polymers are made from renewable or recycled raw materials. Carbon-neutral energy is used for production and products are reused or recycled at their end of life (EOL). In this Review, we assess the advantages and challenges of bioplastics in transitioning towards a circular economy. Compared with fossil-based plastics, bio-based plastics can have a lower carbon footprint and exhibit advantageous materials properties; moreover, they can be compatible with existing recycling streams and some offer biodegradation as an EOL scenario if performed in controlled or predictable environments. However, these benefits can have trade-offs, including negative agricultural impacts, competition with food production, unclear EOL management and higher costs. Emerging chemical and biological methods can enable the 'upcycling' of increasing volumes of heterogeneous plastic and bioplastic waste into higher-quality materials. To guide converters and consumers in their purchasing choices, existing (bio)plastic identification standards and life cycle assessment guidelines need revision and homogenization. Furthermore, clear regulation and financial incentives remain essential to scale from niche polymers to large-scale bioplastic market applications with truly sustainable impact. 

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Bioplastics for a circular economy

Cellulose

The EU Bioeconomy Strategy aims to support the sustainable growth and development of the EU bio-based sectors while creating jobs, innovation and services. Despite the recognised potential of the algae biomass value chain, significant knowledge gaps still exist regarding the dimension, capability, organization and structure of the algae production in Europe. This study presents and analyses the results of a comprehensive mapping and detailed characterisation of the algae production at the European scale, encompassing macroalgae, microalgae and the cyanobacteria Spirulina. This work mapped 447 algae and Spirulina production units spread between 23 countries, which represents an important addition to the reported number of algae producing countries. More than 50% of these companies produce microalgae and/or Spirulina. Macroalgae production is still depending on harvesting from wild stocks (68% of the macroalgae producing units) but macroalgae aquaculture (land-based and at sea) is developing in several countries in Europe currently representing 32% of the macroalgae production units. France, Ireland and Spain are the top 3 countries in number of macroalgae production units while Germany, Spain and Italy stand for the top 3 for microalgae. Spirulina producers are predominantly located in France, Italy, Germany and Spain. Algae and Spirulina biomass is directed primarily for food and food-related applications including the extraction of high-value products for food supplements and nutraceuticals. Algae production in Europe remains limited by a series of technological, regulatory and market-related barriers. Yet, the results of this study emphasise that the European algae sector has a considerable potential for sustainable development as long as the acknowledged economic, social and environmental challenges are addressed.

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Current status of the algae production industry in Europe: an emerging sector of the Blue Bioeconomy

Carboxymethyl cellulose-based materials for infection control and wound healing: A review.

http://www.expresspolymlett.com/letolt.php?file=EPL-0007678&mi=c

Biodegradable polymer films from seaweed polysaccharides: A review on cellulose as a reinforcement material

Various studies have been focused on seaweeds derived polysaccharides based composites because of its renewability and sustainability for food packaging and pharmaceutical applications including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound dressing. Alginate, carrageenan, and agar are widely used for this purpose due to their biocompatibility, availability, gelling capacity, and encapsulation efficiency. Essential oils (like oregano, clove, lemongrass, etc.) as antimicrobial and antioxidant agent, biopolymer (like starch, cellulose, chitosan, etc.), and nanoparticles (organically modified and unmodified inorganic nanoclays, nano-cellulose, carbon nanotubes) as reinforcing material are frequently used for the fabrication of seaweed based materials. Composites have an edge over pure polymer based material in terms of mechanical and barrier properties, controlled release of drugs, and adsorption efficiency. This review comprehensively addresses different types of additives and their impact on various functional properties of seaweed based composites, their methods of incorporation, and applications with special emphasis on food and pharmaceutical usage.

Seaweed based sustainable films and composites for food and pharmaceutical applications: A review

Fresh-cut fruits and vegetables are highly perishable commodities. Packaging forms an important tool to maintain the shelf life of packed fresh-cut agricultural produce. Petroleum-based films are conventionally used for fresh fruits and vegetables. However, being nonbiodegradable and derivability from nonrenewable resources, these films lead towards serious ecological problems. To address this issue, various efforts have been focused on renewable and biodegradable films obtained from biopolymers. Widely studied biopolymers for film preparation are derived from biomass (gelatin, starch, cellulose, etc.), microbes (polyhydroxyalkanoates), and bio-derived monomers (polylactic acid). However, such films possess poor mechanical and barrier properties as compared to their commercial counterparts. Incorporation of various additives has been proposed to improve the film characteristics. In the present review, comprehensive information has been provided on different methodologies for film fabrication, properties, and applications of stand-alone bio-based films for packaging of fresh-cut produce. Furthermore, successful commercial implementation of such film is also summarized.

Biodegradable Films for Fruits and Vegetables Packaging Application: Preparation and Properties

There are available reports on the barrier properties of composites; however, with highly focused research in this field, there is a need to reevaluate the findings and current trends Hybrid composites are a mixture of inorganic and organic components at the nanometer or molecular level, whereas, biocomposites are formed by reinforcing natural fibers into a matrix to improve their properties, including barrier characteristics Such composites can be used for many applications, including packaging, to maintain the quality of products Thus, the barrier properties of films are important characteristics This chapter discusses the parameters that influence the barrier properties of composites such as the pore size, chemical structure, free volume, and crystallinity of the polymer The aims of this chapter are to provide comprehensive knowledge about factors affecting the permeability and preparation methodology, the types of composites, and the types of barrier characteristics including oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and aroma, and to present the potential applications of such hybrid films

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Barrier properties of biocomposites/hybrid films

http://tsp.techscience.com//uploads/attached/file/20191209/20191209075925_57735.pdf

Aparajita Banerjee

Papers

Biodegradable polymer films from seaweed polysaccharides: A review on cellulose as a reinforcement material

Seaweed based sustainable films and composites for food and pharmaceutical applications: A review

Biodegradable Films for Fruits and Vegetables Packaging Application: Preparation and Properties

Barrier properties of biocomposites/hybrid films

Value-Added Utilization of Agro-Waste Derived Oil Palm Ash in Epoxy Composites