Progress in the Application of Emerging Technology for the Improvement of Starch-Based Active Packaging Properties: A Review

Natural food packaging methods have been developed to overcome the reliance on plastic packaging and align with sustainable development goals (SDGs), and it is necessary to develop biodegradable packaging. Starch is an alternative natural packaging material with numerous excellent properties. In this review, we focus on starch as a material for the development of biodegradable active packaging. However, the method still has significant limitations, and active studies are ongoing to unravel new and improved starch-based packaging strategies. Integrating active starch-based methods with emerging technologies in food packaging reduces adverse effects on the environment. In this review, we first introduce the role of emerging technologies, such as cold plasma, high-pressure processing (HPP), ultrasound, and pulsed electric field (PEF), in improving the properties of starch-based active packaging. These emerging technologies have enhanced the optical, physical, and thermal properties of starch-based active packaging. An up-to-date review explaining the potential of starch-based packaging, the use of emerging technologies in its preparation, and the application of this packaging in plant- and animal-based products is thoroughly discussed. The meta-analysis reported in this study can be used to address the challenges and applications of starch-based packaging in the future.