Food Packaging and Shelf Life最新文献

{"title":"Engineering a high-performance, sustainable food packaging film: Zinc-doped carbon dots reinforced konjac glucomannan nanocomposite","authors":"Lijun Wu ,&nbsp;Jiacheng Li ,&nbsp;Yin Zhang ,&nbsp;Ming Zhang ,&nbsp;Xiaoli Han ,&nbsp;Tian Liang ,&nbsp;Jian Liu ,&nbsp;Qingfa Zhang ,&nbsp;Lu Wang ,&nbsp;Lei Zheng","doi":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101733","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101733","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Developing bio-based food packaging films with excellent mechanical, preservation, and degradation properties is an urgent need in the field of food packaging. This study proposed to prepare a multifunctional food packaging film by incorporating zinc-doped carbon dots (Zn-CDs), quaternized chitosan (QCS), and tannic acid (TA) into konjac glucomannan (KGM) to address the mentioned challenge. KGM-QCS-TA-ZnCDs film (KQTZF) presented excellent mechanical properties with the tensile strength of 69.73 MPa, elongation at break of 15.88%, and tensile modulus of 19.79 GPa, which can be achieved through better interfacial bonding caused by hydrogen bonding and coordination bonding. The preservation experiment of plums showed a freshness preservation period of 9 days indicating excellent preservation performance, which can be attributed to the fact that good sterilization property bactericidal rate of 99%, water barrier property of 37 g·m/(m²·h·Pa), oxygen molecule permeability of 12.29 g·m/(m²·h·Pa), and free radical scavenging rate of 90% were endowed to KQTZF by the synergistic effect of Zn-CDs, QCS, and TA. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of Zn-CDs, QCS, and TA also accelerated the degradation rate of KQTZF in water, PBS, and soil, demonstrating good environmental friendliness and sustainability. The simultaneous improvement of mechanical properties, biodegradability, and preservation performance of food packaging films in this study provides new ideas for the development of multifunctional fruit preservation packaging materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12377,"journal":{"name":"Food Packaging and Shelf Life","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101733"},"PeriodicalIF":10.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147449261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bioactive alginate films with Amazonian extracts: physicochemical performance and real food application in avocado preservation","authors":"Maria Benlloch-Tinoco ,&nbsp;Jose Manuel Núñez-Ramírez ,&nbsp;Paola A. García-Rincón ,&nbsp;Carlos Carranza ,&nbsp;Piergiorgio Gentile ,&nbsp;Joel Girón-Hernández","doi":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101735","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101735","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bioactive extracts from three underutilized Amazonian fruits, <em>Euterpe oleracea</em> (10–50 g·100 g⁻¹ alginate), <em>Myrciaria dubia</em> (10–50 g·100 g⁻¹ alginate), and <em>Theobroma bicolor</em> (10–50 g·100 g⁻¹ alginate), were incorporated into alginate matrices (2% w/v) to produce biodegradable films with enhanced functionality for active food packaging. Extracts were characterized by proximate composition, dietary fiber and metabolomic profiles, revealing distinct phytochemical fingerprints. The composite films displayed extract- and concentration- dependent changes in thickness (0.11–0.32 mm), solubility (38.7–195.3 mim), opacity (1.06–8.76) and color (e.g., L* 23.51–91.37). Barrier performance of the films improved at all concentrations with <em>E. oleracea,</em> but mechanical strength was compromised at 50 g extract·100 g⁻¹ alginate (e.g., 5.59 MPa for Eo50Alg and 8.67 MPa for Eo25Alg). Both <em>M. dubia</em> and <em>T. bicolor</em> showed plasticizing effects (10–50 g extract·100 g⁻¹ alginate), while improving barrier properties at low concentrations (10 g extract·100 g⁻¹ alginate). Additionally, <em>M. dubia</em> imparted antimicrobial activity on Gram-positive bacteria (50 g extract·100 g⁻¹ alginate). FTIR confirmed crosslinking between alginate and all fruit extracts, predominantly as phenolic-alginate intermolecular hydrogen bonds. TGA indicated improved thermal stability, particularly for <em>E. oleracea</em> films (residual mass ∼30%). In a real-food model using avocado pulp, all composite films delayed oxidative degradation (up to 80% with <em>E. oleracea</em>), improved pigment retention (<em>T. bicolor</em>) compared to neat alginate films (p &lt; 0.05). Our results demonstrated the potential of Amazonian fruits as a clean source of functional additives for the formulation of active bioplastics that preserve the quality of high-value foods over storage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12377,"journal":{"name":"Food Packaging and Shelf Life","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101735"},"PeriodicalIF":10.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147539166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacterial cellulose/tea polyphenol films from tea waste via anaerobic synthesis: A sustainable material for active food preservation","authors":"Ge Gao ,&nbsp;Haolong Zheng ,&nbsp;Shaofang Niu ,&nbsp;Yi Wang ,&nbsp;Xueqing Zhao ,&nbsp;Yucheng Shi ,&nbsp;Liyuan Sun ,&nbsp;Mingchang Li ,&nbsp;Guoqiang Li ,&nbsp;Ting Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101730","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101730","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a safe biopolymer ideal for food applications but lacks the antimicrobial properties needed for active packaging. Tea waste is a rich source of tea polyphenols (TPs), which are potent antimicrobial agents. However, the oxygen-dependent activity of TPs is toxic to aerobic BC-producing microbes, hindering direct in situ synthesis. In this study, TW residues were processed to obtain tea polyphenol extracts and glucose for in situ modification of BC. By leveraging the ability of <em>Kosakonia oryzendophytica</em> FY-07 to produce BC under anaerobic conditions, in situ modification was conducted anaerobically, and the inhibitory effects of TPs were bypassed, resulting in the successful preparation of a modified TW-BC. Performance evaluations revealed that TW-BC exhibited sustained tea polyphenol release, strongly inhibiting <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and <em>Escherichia coli</em> growth. Moreover, it showed excellent water vapor, oxygen and UV barrier properties, extremely low hemolysis rates, and superior preservation and biodegradation. This study validated the innovation feasibility of developing high value-added products by tailoring production strategies to strain-specific characteristics. Moreover, this approach could be extended to the production and optimization of other microbial products, offering valuable insights into the development of sustainable functional materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12377,"journal":{"name":"Food Packaging and Shelf Life","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101730"},"PeriodicalIF":10.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhanced colorimetric freshness indicator based on grape skin anthocyanin‑metal complex in zein/pullulan/PVA nanofiber membrane","authors":"Jiaxin Zhou ,&nbsp;Lubing Xiang ,&nbsp;Kang Xu ,&nbsp;Aimin Xiang ,&nbsp;Ling Liu ,&nbsp;Yunxuan Weng ,&nbsp;Xiaoying Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101725","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101725","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anthocyanins are widely explored for developing freshness indicators. However, their applications are often limited by low color sensitivity and inability to accurately identify the sub-fresh stage of foods. This study developed a novel smart packaging indicator using a Cu²⁺-complexed grape skin anthocyanin (GSA). The complexation significantly enhanced colorimetric accuracy within the critical pH 6–8 range, enabling distinct transitions from pink (pH = 6) to light purple (pH = 7) and deep purple (pH = 8). The indicator was fabricated by incorporating the Cu²⁺-GSA complex and tea polyphenol into an electrospun zein/pullulan-polyvinyl alcohol nanofiber membrane. When monitoring shrimp freshness at 4°C, the indicator's color shift from purple to green accurately corresponded to the sub-fresh (TVB-N &gt; 16.74 mg/100 g) and spoiled (TVB-N &gt; 30 mg/100 g) stages, with RGB values falling below 73 and 55, respectively. The integrated tea polyphenol extended the shelf life of the shrimp by approximately one day. The indicator also effectively monitored poultry and beef spoilage, with an RGB threshold &lt; 85 reliably signaling spoilage (TVB-N &gt; 15 mg/100 g). The platform establishes a strong correlation between visual color parameters and key freshness indices, offering a reliable, real-time solution for monitoring protein-rich food quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12377,"journal":{"name":"Food Packaging and Shelf Life","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101725"},"PeriodicalIF":10.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A flexible release-tuning platform based on spray-coated soy protein isolate/pectin multilayer films for potential food packaging","authors":"Ting Li ,&nbsp;Geert Meijer ,&nbsp;Leonard M.C. Sagis ,&nbsp;Mehdi Habibi","doi":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101734","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101734","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The susceptibility of fresh produce to microbial contamination poses a challenge to maintaining freshness and safety throughout the supply chain. To address the issue in a sustainable way, multilayer films were fabricated on a polylactic acid (PLA) substrate by alternatively depositing soy protein isolate (SPI) and high methoxyl pectin (HMP) on a soy-based primary layer enriched with an active compound (carvacrol), using spray coating. Carvacrol is one of the main components in essential oils from certain herbs. The layer-by-layer structure was captured by a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and surface wettability revealed that the structure of the multilayer film became increasingly homogeneous upon depositing additional layers. The permeability coefficient for carvacrol was determined as a function of the number of layers. Adding three or more layers resulted in a significant decrease of the permeability of the film for carvacrol, thus enabling a sustained release of carvacrol. The delayed release did not compromise the antimicrobial activity of the multilayer films in strawberry preservation. The perishable rate was decreased by more than two times using antimicrobial films. These films can act as active pads, enabling a sustained release of essential oils in confined packaging and thereby protecting fresh produce from microbial damage in an environmentally friendly way.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12377,"journal":{"name":"Food Packaging and Shelf Life","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101734"},"PeriodicalIF":10.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147449244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An integrated “extraction-film formation” strategy using natural deep eutectic solvents for fabricating active films in fruit preservation","authors":"Haiyu Yang,&nbsp;Xinghai Huang,&nbsp;Bingyou Luo,&nbsp;Kunying Yu,&nbsp;Chaosong Lu,&nbsp;Jingmin Mo,&nbsp;Peiyuan Li,&nbsp;Jianhua Wei,&nbsp;Haiyi Zhong","doi":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101717","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101717","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To achieve formulation simplification and green fabrication, this study proposes an integrated “extraction–film formation” strategy based on Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES). Choline chloride and urea were used as the NADES system combined with ultrasound to extract flavonoids from <em>Dalbergia pinnata</em> (Lour.) Prain (DPF), which are directly incorporated into a Gelatin/Chitosan (Gel/CS) matrix to prepare deep eutectic composite films (GCD1–4) by solution casting. This extract simultaneously serves as a homologous plasticizer and functional agent. It avoids the repeated addition of plasticizers, antibacterial, and antioxidant agents, which are commonly required in conventional film preparation. The results show that with increasing DPF content, the films transformed from “rigid and brittle” to “flexible”, the surface wettability shifted from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, water solubility significantly decreased, and UV shielding ability was enhanced. The GCD-2 film show antibacterial efficiencies of 73.37 ± 4.94 % and 96.78 ± 0.2 % against <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and <em>Escherichia coli</em>, respectively. Its DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging rates were 69.74 ± 0.67 % and 99.08 ± 0.9 %, respectively, demonstrated good antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Cell viability was close to 100 %, and the hemolysis rate was below 5 %, indicates good biocompatibility of the films. Furthermore, the GCD series of films demonstrated good biodegradability, indicates their strong environmental friendliness. In application tests, the GCD-2 film significantly reduced weight loss, browning, and decay in strawberries and apple slices, effectively inhibiting decay, and shows the best preservation effect. In conclusion, the Gel/CS/DPF composite films achieved synergistic “plasticization-antibacterial-antioxidation” effects through the green extract, demonstrating great potential as biodegradable active packaging materials for fruit preservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12377,"journal":{"name":"Food Packaging and Shelf Life","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101717"},"PeriodicalIF":10.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171417","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of charge- and composition-engineered carbon dots @ polylactic acid nanofibrous film for enhanced active packaging of blackberries","authors":"Donglu Fang ,&nbsp;Bin Deng ,&nbsp;Chong Shi ,&nbsp;Yicheng Wang ,&nbsp;Zhengjin Huang ,&nbsp;Lianfei Lyu ,&nbsp;Yaqiong Wu ,&nbsp;Fuliang Cao ,&nbsp;Weilin Li","doi":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101724","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101724","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study developed multifunctional active packaging by incorporating charge- and composition-engineered carbon dots (CDs) into polylactic acid (PLA) via electrospinning. Three types of CDs—N-doped anionic (CDs-1), N-doped cationic (CDs-2), and N,S-co-doped anionic (CDs-3)—were synthesized via hydrothermal methods. The films were comprehensively characterized for their physicochemical, mechanical, thermal, and functional properties, and assessed for biocompatibility, biodegradability, and practical food preservation efficacy. The results demonstrated that the composite films exhibited significantly enhanced mechanical flexibility (&gt;70 % increase in elongation at break) and super-hydrophilicity. They also possessed potent antioxidant (77.9–96.9 % ABTS and 69.7–79.1 % DPPH scavenging) and antibacterial activity. The PLA/CDs-3 film showed the highest antibacterial efficacy and, in a practical blackberry preservation test, doubled the fruit's shelf-life at 25 °C. Furthermore, all films proved highly biocompatible and exhibited excellent biodegradability with 96.8–100 % weight loss in soil within 15 days. This work highlights the great potential of engineered CDs in designing high-performance, sustainable active food packaging.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12377,"journal":{"name":"Food Packaging and Shelf Life","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101724"},"PeriodicalIF":10.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fabrication of ginger extract–loaded PAN nanofiber mats as a non‑contact natural antioxidant system for preserving soybean oil","authors":"Shamous M. Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Ayat F. Hashim ,&nbsp;Ayman El Said ,&nbsp;Tamer Hamouda","doi":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recognizing the increased limitations of synthetic antioxidants, this study proposes a ginger-based natural antioxidant delivered via a non-contact PAN nanofiber packaging system. Ginger extract was successfully incorporated into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber mats using the solution-blowing technique, with varying polymer concentrations (12 % and 15 %) and needle gauges (21 G and 18 G). The resulting nanofiber mats were affixed inside bottle caps to enable indirect antioxidant release into the oil. Four nanofiber mat variants (Mat I–IV) and two film samples (Film I–II) were fabricated and characterized via SEM, FTIR, XRD, DPPH, and TPC assays. Soybean oil samples (O Mat I - O Mat IV) were stored at 50 °C for 30 days under accelerated oxidation conditions. The peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value, acid value, FTIR, DPPH, TPC, and HPLC were used as oxidative stability parameters. The results revealed that Mat II presented the highest TPC value (400.25 mg GA/100 g) and DPPH scavenging percentage (63.36 %). O Mat II and O Mat IV demonstrated the longest lag phases, indicating superior oxidative stability across oxidation markers. O Mat II and O Mat IV presented significantly lower PVs of 9.26 and 9.30 meqO₂/kg, respectively, and acid values below 0.6 mg KOH/kg oil. By day 20, the DPPH scavenging activities of O Mat II and O Mat IV were 56.37 % and 60.22 %, respectively, while the corresponding TPC values were recorded as 104.75 and 95.5 mg GA/100 g. This study outlines a novel preservation strategy that integrates plant-based antioxidants with nanotechnology for enhanced food packaging.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12377,"journal":{"name":"Food Packaging and Shelf Life","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101723"},"PeriodicalIF":10.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of structural and functional properties of ι-carrageenan and/or sodium alginate films: Role of bioactive compound incorporation and CaCl2 crosslinking","authors":"Lilou Avidos ,&nbsp;Petra Babić ,&nbsp;Mia Kurek ,&nbsp;Frédéric Debeaufort ,&nbsp;Nasreddine Benbettaieb","doi":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101731","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101731","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is a lack of comprehension of the structure related properties of specific matrixes important for efficient packaging application. Therefore, this study examines structural, surface and barrier properties of bioactive films composed of two marine issued biopolymers: iota-carrageenan (Car) and sodium alginate (Alg), enriched with natural antioxidants and cross-linking agents (CaCl₂). The active films were formulated with chlorogenic acid (CA), <span>D</span>-limonene (DL) and sea fennel (SF) (<em>Crithmum maritimum</em>), known for their bioactive potential (against oxygen radicals and microbes). In addition, CaCl₂ was used as a crosslinker to improve the polymer networking, and even more important, moisture resistance. Results showed that the combination of Car and Alg formed interpenetrating polymer networks, improving the water vapor and oxygen barrier. FTIR analysis identified interactions between biopolymer matrices and bioactive molecules. UV-Visible spectroscopy showed improved UV barrier in CA-enriched films. Contact angle measurements and surface free energy analysis confirmed a dominant polar character, particularly in alginate-based blends, with no clear effects of the active molecules. Furthermore, Car-Alg films showed the lowest water vapour permeability, highlighting the role of polymer interactions in reducing permeability despite increased surface hydrophilicity. Crosslinking with Ca²⁺ resulted in higher film cohesion, reducing oxygen permeability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12377,"journal":{"name":"Food Packaging and Shelf Life","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101731"},"PeriodicalIF":10.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent advances in biopolymer aerogels for food packaging: A design perspective across different formats","authors":"Xinxin Yan ,&nbsp;Ziwen Li ,&nbsp;Lukuan Guo ,&nbsp;Weiqing Liu ,&nbsp;Junlong Song ,&nbsp;Wenyuan Zhu ,&nbsp;Donglu Fang ,&nbsp;Jiaqi Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101726","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fpsl.2026.101726","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biopolymer aerogels have increasingly been explored as functional components in food packaging systems, where lightweight structures, moisture management, active protection, and intelligent sensing are required. This review summarizes recent progress by categorizing aerogel applications into two major packaging formats: small aerogel labels and large aerogel pads or inserts. This organizational perspective differs from previous reviews that primarily focus on material types. We compile advances in polysaccharide- and protein-based aerogels, including systems derived from cellulose nanostructures, starch, chitosan, and whey proteins, and highlight how these materials are applied across distinct packaging functions. Small aerogel labels have been used as ethylene adsorbents, moisture and impurity scavengers, and intelligent colorimetric indicators capable of responding to pH changes or volatile amines for real-time freshness monitoring. Large aerogel pads function as superabsorbent elements for exudates, carriers for the controlled release of antimicrobial or antioxidant agents, cushioning pads for mechanical protection, and lightweight insulation components suitable for chilled or frozen foods. These emerging applications illustrate the versatility of biopolymer aerogels while also revealing challenges such as limited wet stability, regulatory barriers for active components, and the high cost of scalable fabrication. By structuring current knowledge around packaging format and functional roles, this review provides a consolidated and application-oriented overview of the practical potential, limitations, and future opportunities of biopolymer aerogels in next-generation intelligent and active food-packaging systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12377,"journal":{"name":"Food Packaging and Shelf Life","volume":"54 ","pages":"Article 101726"},"PeriodicalIF":10.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147385500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}