Biopolymer-Based Films and Coatings

<p>With the growing concern for the environment and the rising price of crude oil there is increasing demand for non-petroleum-based polymers from renewable resources. Biopolymer films have been regarded as potential replacements for synthetic films in food packaging due to a strong marketing trend toward environmentally friendly materials. Biopolymer-based films and coatings display good barrier properties flexibility transparency economic profitability and environmental compatibility. Therefore they have successfully been used for packaging various food products. </p><p><strong>Biopolymer-Based Films and Coatings: Trends and Challenges </strong><strong>elaborates </strong>on the recent methods and ingredients for making biodegradable films and coatings as well as the current requirements for food security and environmental issues. This book also explores films and coatings prepared with essential oils antimicrobial substances and bioactive components that make up this active packaging. Films and coating chapters are based on biopolymers used to prepare films and coatings that is carbohydrates lipids proteins and so on. This book provides a platform for researchers and industrialists on the basic and advanced concepts of films and coatings. </p><p><strong>Key Features</strong></p><ul> <p> </p> <li>Provides a comprehensive analysis of recent findings on biopolymers (carbohydrate- protein- and lipid-) based films and coatings</li> </ul><ul> <p> </p> <li>Contains a wealth of new information on the properties functionality and applications of films and coatings</li> </ul><ul> <p> </p> <li>Presents possible active and functional components and ingredients for developing films and coatings.</li> </ul><ul> <p> </p> <li>Guides start-up researchers on where to start the latest research work in packaging</li> </ul><p>It has been estimated that the global production of bioplastics is set to hike from ~2.11 in 2020 to ~2.87 million tonnes in 2025. Further the demand for fresh ready-to-eat or semi-finished foods is increasing and the need to maintain food safety and quality further exacerbates the challenges in the supply chain especially with the globalization of food trade and the use of centralized processing facilities for food distribution. It is an urgent requirement to increase shelf life and reduce food product loss. Considering the great market demand for biodegradable material-based packaging systems this book comes at an opportune time to enable researchers and food scientists to develop suitable solutions considering the sustainability and economic feasibility of the process.</p>