Towards Sustainable Food Packaging: A Review of Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) as a Promising Bioplastic Material, its Limitations, and Improvement Strategies with Bio-fillers and Essential Oils

Abstract

Packaging industry is the dominant user of plastic that contribute highest amount of plastic waste entering our environment. Hence, alternatives such as bio-based plastic have emerged and becoming more commercialized. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) is one of the raw materials used in the production of bioplastic film. However, the major drawback of using TPS is due to its low mechanical, poor barrier properties, and brittleness. This review article provides summary of TPS as a choice of food packaging materials. It reviews recent studies on the improvements of TPS by incorporation of bio-filler and essentials oils. It also describes the impact on the TPS reinforced biofilm on film properties including mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties. This paper also discusses the performance TPS reinforced biofilm in ensuring shelf stability and perishability of food product for food packaging application. Finally, it also highlighted the challenge and opportunities TPS reinforced biofilm for the food packaging industry.