Smart Active Biopolymer Nanofibre Films

Food packaging is crucial for maintaining food quality during storage. The effectiveness of food packaging can be augmented by the inclusion of active agents, such as antimicrobials, and smart components, such as colour-changing indicators of spoilage. Nanofibres are advantageous for active and smart packaging due to their ability to form films with excellent barrier properties and extremely high surface areas, ensuring optimal contact with food. This chapter reviews the biopolymers utilised in nanofibre packaging, spinning methods, protein fibrils, and the incorporation of active and smart agents. It also examines the effects on food, ecological considerations, recent advancements, and future trends. With a focus on polysaccharide and protein biopolymers, both alone and blended with other polymers, this chapter provides the most comprehensive review of the field. Nanofibre active and smart food packaging that employs solely synthetic polymers is addressed in a separate chapter in this book. This chapter offers valuable insights for researchers and educators in the field of packaging research and also in other fields where nanofibres are important, such as biomedicine, energy storage, biomaterials, filtration, and textiles. Enhancements in packaging will reduce food wastage, extend shelf life, prevent food poisoning, and lessen the environmental impacts of food production and packaging. These technical innovations are important for the future of our planet and the well-being of its inhabitants.