Starch-based biodegradable packaging materials: A review of their preparation, characterization and diverse applications in the food industry

Background: Synthetic plastics are extremely versatile and convenient materials that can be used to create a diversity of useful products, but their widespread use is causing increasing damage to the planet. As a result, there has been considerable efforts towards the development of more biodegradable and environmentallyfriendly materials. Among various alternatives, starch is considered as a good substitute for synthetic polymers due to its abundant supply, low cost, complete biodegradation, high biocompatibility, and good filmforming properties. However, a number of technical challenges need to be overcome to increase the practical of starch-based materials for manner applications. Scope and approach: An up-to-date review of starch-based materials is given, with emphasis on methods to improve their properties and widen their application in food packaging. The preparation methods, common additives, characterization techniques, and applications of starch-based biodegradable materials are summarized. Additionally, advanced technological approaches to prepare innovative starch-based biodegradable materials are also introduced to stimulate new areas for future research. Key findings and conclusions: Starch-based materials have great potential as biodegradable food packaging materials that will reduce environmental pollution. The functional performance of starch-based biodegradable materials can be extended or improved by adding other biopolymers or additives, as well as by using novel preparation techniques. Nevertheless, the large-scale economic production of high-performance starch-based biodegradable materials is still a challenge and more research is still required in this area.

Automated summary

Starch is considered a good substitute for synthetic polymers due to its abundant supply, low cost, complete biodegradation, high biocompatibility, and good filmforming properties. However, technical challenges need to be overcome to increase the practicality of starch-based materials for various applications. An updated review of starch-based materials, emphasizing on methods to improve their properties and widen their application in food packaging, is provided in this study.