Oxygen scavenging films and coating of biopolymers for food application

Abstract

The application of oxygen scavengers (OS) is one of the main active packaging technologies able to remove or decrease the oxygen level present in the food package or improve barrier properties by acting as an active barrier. The purpose of an oxygen scavenger is to limit the amount of oxygen available for deteriorative reactions protecting the packaged food against quality loss and extending the shelf-life of the product. There is a growing interest in developing biobased polymers that can reduce food waste and the environmental impact of packages. To protect the environment and minimize the pollution caused by packaging materials, the development of biodegradable OS films and coatings for packaging is increasingly being emphasized. This chapter will provide an overview of the latest research trends and innovations on oxygen scavenging films and coatings of biopolymers used in food packagings, such as novel natural oxygen scavenging agents and active barrier films.