Edible films and coatings for innovative use as food protective materials: Review and perspectives

Abstract

Edible films and coatings produced from renewable biological substances hold promise for innovative use as food protective materials. They should possess the appropriate barrier and mechanical properties and also retain these properties during the commercial marketing of food. Thus, various proteins of plant and animal origin have received much attention in the edible film technology. The objective of this review work was to make, initially, an inventory of the technology of films based on simple biological materials (biodegradable compound and plasticizer) and to arouse the interest to investigate a synergy of all the materials used. Spray drying is also an alternative to explore with the synergized function of multiplasticizers.