Edible packaging and coatings

Edible coatings and films have a potential role in food preservation by extending shelf life and enhancing sensory attributes. These products stand out with their ability to be easily degraded both biologically and environmentally. These materials can significantly extend the shelf life of food, as well as ensure food safety and quality of the products. This chapter highlights the applications of edible coatings and films on various food products in terms of different raw materials and novel applications. Polysaccharides, lipids, and proteins are commonly preferred raw materials. Polysaccharide-based films or coatings derived from starch, cellulose, pectin, and chitosan are known for their strong, transparent barrier-forming properties, but they often need different modifications for improved mechanical and water vapor barrier properties. In addition, the use of extracellular polysaccharides as coating and film material is a valuable area of study and has a potential for applicability. Differently from polysaccharides, lipid-based coatings or films provide strong and effective moisture barriers. Protein-based films and coatings obtained from soy, whey, and gelatin are commonly effective in preserving the freshness of food products with their strong oxygen barrier properties. Recent studies also examine the integration of bioactive compounds such as antioxidants and antimicrobials into coatings and films and their possible effects on food products. Other than basic food raw materials, the evaluation of food by-products or wastes is one of the practices that can be implemented to prevent loss and support sustainable production. Apart from all these research topics, studies conducted in recent years focus on the application of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in edible food packaging applications. Nanotechnology-based applications provide significant enhancement in packaging quality parameters. However, there are some ethical and health concerns in this context. Therefore, each material needs to be investigated in more detail, and clear regulations must be established regarding their use.