Advances in Nanocellulose-Based Composites for Sustainable Food Packaging
Nanocellulose, a sustainable and versatile nanomaterial derived from abundant natural resources such as plants and bacteria, has emerged as a promising candidate for advancing eco-friendly food packaging. This review summarizes recent advancements in nanocellulose composites, focusing on their prepa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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North Carolina State University
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BioResources |
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| Online Access: | https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24483 |
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| author | Baoying Shi Di Wu Yu Lin Xinyu Xu Siqi Xie Guiyuan Zhao Yufeng Wang |
| author_facet | Baoying Shi Di Wu Yu Lin Xinyu Xu Siqi Xie Guiyuan Zhao Yufeng Wang |
| author_sort | Baoying Shi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nanocellulose, a sustainable and versatile nanomaterial derived from abundant natural resources such as plants and bacteria, has emerged as a promising candidate for advancing eco-friendly food packaging. This review summarizes recent advancements in nanocellulose composites, focusing on their preparation methods, enhanced mechanical and barrier properties, applications in food preservation, safety profiles, and biodegradability. Nanocellulose composites, synthesized via techniques such as solution casting, melt intercalation, layer-by-layer self-assembly, in situ polymerization, coating, and ring-opening polymerization, can exhibit exceptional mechanical strength, oxygen and moisture barrier performance, as well as compatibility with active agents such as antioxidants and antimicrobials. Studies highlight the role of nanocellulose in reducing polymer composite permeability while maintaining biodegradability. Despite these advantages, challenges such as high production costs, energy-intensive methods (e.g., sulfuric acid hydrolysis), and hydrophilic limitations hinder industrial scalability. Emerging strategies, including enzymatic processing and surface modifications (acetylation, oxidation), offer pathways to enhance hydrophobicity, dispersion, and thermal stability. Future research should prioritize scalable, low-cost production technologies and expanded applications in smart and active packaging systems. By addressing these challenges, nanocellulose composites hold significant potential to revolutionize sustainable packaging, aligning with global demands for reduced environmental impact and enhanced food security. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ee2b587485c240618ba76b74c73f708c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1930-2126 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | North Carolina State University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BioResources |
| spelling | doaj-art-ee2b587485c240618ba76b74c73f708c2025-08-20T03:43:55ZengNorth Carolina State UniversityBioResources1930-21262025-07-01203798380013407Advances in Nanocellulose-Based Composites for Sustainable Food PackagingBaoying Shi0Di Wu1Yu Lin2Xinyu Xu3Siqi Xie4Guiyuan Zhao5Yufeng Wang6 School of Food Engineering, Tianjin Tianshi College, 301700, Tianjin, ChinaCollege of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, 300457, Tianjin, ChinaCollege of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, 300457, Tianjin, ChinaCollege of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, 300457, Tianjin, ChinaCollege of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, 300457, Tianjin, ChinaTianjin Baide Paper Co., LTD, 300382, Tianjin, ChinaCollege of Light Industry Science and Engineering, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, 300457, Tianjin, ChinaNanocellulose, a sustainable and versatile nanomaterial derived from abundant natural resources such as plants and bacteria, has emerged as a promising candidate for advancing eco-friendly food packaging. This review summarizes recent advancements in nanocellulose composites, focusing on their preparation methods, enhanced mechanical and barrier properties, applications in food preservation, safety profiles, and biodegradability. Nanocellulose composites, synthesized via techniques such as solution casting, melt intercalation, layer-by-layer self-assembly, in situ polymerization, coating, and ring-opening polymerization, can exhibit exceptional mechanical strength, oxygen and moisture barrier performance, as well as compatibility with active agents such as antioxidants and antimicrobials. Studies highlight the role of nanocellulose in reducing polymer composite permeability while maintaining biodegradability. Despite these advantages, challenges such as high production costs, energy-intensive methods (e.g., sulfuric acid hydrolysis), and hydrophilic limitations hinder industrial scalability. Emerging strategies, including enzymatic processing and surface modifications (acetylation, oxidation), offer pathways to enhance hydrophobicity, dispersion, and thermal stability. Future research should prioritize scalable, low-cost production technologies and expanded applications in smart and active packaging systems. By addressing these challenges, nanocellulose composites hold significant potential to revolutionize sustainable packaging, aligning with global demands for reduced environmental impact and enhanced food security.https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24483nanocellulosecomposite materialsfood packagingbiodegradabilitysustainable materialsbarrier properties |
| spellingShingle | Baoying Shi Di Wu Yu Lin Xinyu Xu Siqi Xie Guiyuan Zhao Yufeng Wang Advances in Nanocellulose-Based Composites for Sustainable Food Packaging BioResources nanocellulose composite materials food packaging biodegradability sustainable materials barrier properties |
| title | Advances in Nanocellulose-Based Composites for Sustainable Food Packaging |
| title_full | Advances in Nanocellulose-Based Composites for Sustainable Food Packaging |
| title_fullStr | Advances in Nanocellulose-Based Composites for Sustainable Food Packaging |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advances in Nanocellulose-Based Composites for Sustainable Food Packaging |
| title_short | Advances in Nanocellulose-Based Composites for Sustainable Food Packaging |
| title_sort | advances in nanocellulose based composites for sustainable food packaging |
| topic | nanocellulose composite materials food packaging biodegradability sustainable materials barrier properties |
| url | https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/24483 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT baoyingshi advancesinnanocellulosebasedcompositesforsustainablefoodpackaging AT diwu advancesinnanocellulosebasedcompositesforsustainablefoodpackaging AT yulin advancesinnanocellulosebasedcompositesforsustainablefoodpackaging AT xinyuxu advancesinnanocellulosebasedcompositesforsustainablefoodpackaging AT siqixie advancesinnanocellulosebasedcompositesforsustainablefoodpackaging AT guiyuanzhao advancesinnanocellulosebasedcompositesforsustainablefoodpackaging AT yufengwang advancesinnanocellulosebasedcompositesforsustainablefoodpackaging |