Biopolymer films and the effects of added lipids, nanoparticles and antimicrobials on their mechanical and barrier properties: a review

Packaging made from biodegradable biopolymers such as proteins, polysaccharides and lipids is a promising alternative to synthetic polymers. Films made from these biopolymers exhibit certain disadvantages in terms of their mechanical, barrier and physicochemical properties. Plasticisers, nanoparticles, lipids and antimicrobial compounds can be added to them to improve these properties. The tendency of biopolymer films to brittleness can be mitigated by adding plasticisers and/or nanoparticles. These films also tend to have high water vapour permeability, which can be reduced by adding lipids and/or nanoparticles. Incorporating natural compounds with antimicrobial activity into biopolymer films can provide them the advantages of maintaining food safety and extending shelf life. Addition of plasticisers, nanoparticles, lipids and/or antimicrobial compounds to biopolymer films can help to make them comparable to conventional synthetic films with the advantages that they reduce pollution and are biodegradable.