Algal bioactive compounds application for packaging films and coatings

Food packaging is a crucial aspect of the food industry, as it prevents harmful chemical, physical, and microbialchanges in food products, leading to an increase in shelf life. However, most food packaging today consists ofpetroleum-based polymeric materials, which have limitations in biocompatibility and recyclability. In light ofthe increasing harmful effects of plastics on the environment, there has been a growing interest in replacingthese materials with biodegradable and eco-friendly alternatives. Algae are a rich source of polysaccharides thatcan produce biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, such as alginate and carrageenan, which are widelyused in the packaging sector. These compounds exhibit good barrier properties against oxygen and moisture,reduce microbial growth, prevent oxidation of lipids, and ultimately increase the shelf life of food. Thecombination of other biological materials such as chitosan, carboxymethyl cellulose, and pectin leads to theimprovement of mechanical properties of algal polymers. The use of seaweed-derived bioactive compounds infood packaging is an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based polymeric materials and can help reduce theharmful effects of plastics on the environment.

کلیدواژه ها:

Seaweeds ، biocompatible polymers ، bioactive compounds ، biological materials