Protein-based Materials for Functional Packaging

Abstract

Most petroleum-derived food packaging materials are non-degradable, and their post-consumption disposal results in waste accumulation and environmental problems that threaten human health. Therefore, the development of biodegradable and renewable replacements is essential. In recent years, protein-based biopolymers have been extensively used in the food packaging industry and have shown great potential to displace conventional petroleum-based materials. However, the hydrophilicity of protein-based biopolymers results in poor resistance of the protein films against water vapor and their brittle nature, caused by the strong cohesive energy density, which restricts their chain flexibility. In this chapter, we discussed several physical, chemical, and biochemical methods to modify the physical and barrier properties of protein-based materials for functional green packaging applications.