Utilizing Plant Extracts and Essential Oils as Bio-Based Additives in Biodegradable Polymer Coatings for Food Packaging: A Review
Subject Areas :
Marjan
Nouri
1
(Department of Food Science and Technology, Roudehen Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehen, Iran)
Keywords: biological, / Coating, / Nanoliposome, / Biopolymer, / essential oil,
Abstract :
Edible films and coatings have gained increasing interest due to demands for convenient, ready-to-eat foods with extended shelf life. However, packaging without additives or pigments is insufficient to preserve foods due to various limitations. This review discusses the potential of utilizing natural extracts and essential oils as promising free or encapsulated additives to enhance the functionality of edible films and coatings. Extracts and essential oils offer antioxidant, antimicrobial and emulsifying properties when incorporated into coatings. Their incorporation level, type and nanoencapsulation influence their activity against food-spoiling microbes and their ability to extend shelf life. Nanoencapsulation preserves bioactive compounds against environmental stresses like oxygen and moisture, prolonging coating stability. This review focuses on recent research evaluating natural extracts and essential oils as additives in edible films and coatings applied to various foods. Their antimicrobial and antioxidant effects on coated substrates are discussed. The benefits and limitations of developing antimicrobial and antioxidant-active packaging technologies are also reviewed. Biodegradable smart coatings utilizing natural additives provide a sustainable food packaging approach with reduced environmental impacts while ensuring safety. Overall, extracts and essential oils show great potential as natural additives to develop high-performance edible films and coatings when applied in free or encapsulated forms.