Starch-based biodegradable packaging materials: A review of their preparation, characterization and diverse applications in the food industry

Synthetic plastics are extremely versatile and convenient materials that can be used to create a diversity of useful products, but their widespread use is causing increasing damage to the planet. As a result, there has been considerable efforts towards the development of more biodegradable and environmentally-friendly materials. Among various alternatives, starch is considered as a good substitute for synthetic polymers due to its abundant supply, low cost, complete biodegradation, high biocompatibility, and good film-forming properties. However, a number of technical challenges need to be overcome to increase the practical of starch-based materials for manner applications. An up-to-date review of starch-based materials is given, with emphasis on methods to improve their properties and widen their application in food packaging. The preparation methods, common additives, characterization techniques, and applications of starch-based biodegradable materials are summarized. Additionally, advanced technological approaches to prepare innovative starch-based biodegradable materials are also introduced to stimulate new areas for future research. Starch-based materials have great potential as biodegradable food packaging materials that will reduce environmental pollution. The functional performance of starch-based biodegradable materials can be extended or improved by adding other biopolymers or additives, as well as by using novel preparation techniques. Nevertheless, the large-scale economic production of high-performance starch-based biodegradable materials is still a challenge and more research is still required in this area.