Stoica Maricica, Bichescu Cezar Ionuț, Crețu Carmen-Mihaela, Dragomir Maricela, Ivan Angela Stela, Podaru Geanina Marcela, Stoica Dimitrie, Stuparu-Crețu Mariana
Cross-Border Faculty, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, 111 Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania.
Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, "Danubius" University, 3 Galați, 800654 Galati, Romania.
Foods. 2024 Sep 24;13(19):3027. doi: 10.3390/foods13193027.
Conventional passive packaging plays a crucial role in food manufacturing by protecting foods from various external influences. Most packaging materials are polymer-based plastics derived from fossil carbon sources, which are favored for their versatility, aesthetic appeal, and cost-effectiveness. However, the extensive use of these materials poses significant environmental challenges due to their fossil-based origins and persistence in the environment. Global plastic consumption for packaging is expected to nearly triple by 2060, exacerbating the ecological crisis. Moreover, globalization has increased access to a diverse range of foods from around the world, heightening the importance of packaging in providing healthier and safer foods with extended shelf life. In response to these challenges, there is a growing shift to eco-friendly active packaging that not only protects but also preserves the authentic qualities of food, surpassing the roles of conventional passive packaging. This article provides a comprehensive review on the viability, benefits, and challenges of implementing bio-based biodegradable polymers in active food packaging, with the dual goals of environmental sustainability and extending food shelf life.
传统的被动包装在食品制造中起着至关重要的作用，它能保护食品免受各种外部影响。大多数包装材料是源自化石碳源的聚合物基塑料，因其多功能性、美观性和成本效益而受到青睐。然而，由于这些材料基于化石的来源以及在环境中的持久性，其广泛使用带来了重大的环境挑战。预计到2060年，全球用于包装的塑料消费量将几乎增加两倍，加剧生态危机。此外，全球化使人们能够获得来自世界各地的各种食品，这凸显了包装在提供保质期更长、更健康、更安全食品方面的重要性。为应对这些挑战，越来越多地转向环保型活性包装，这种包装不仅能保护食品，还能保持食品的原汁原味，超越了传统被动包装的作用。本文全面综述了在活性食品包装中应用生物基可生物降解聚合物的可行性、益处和挑战，以实现环境可持续性和延长食品保质期这两个双重目标。
