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Edible Food Packaging: An Introduction

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Nanotechnology in Edible Food Packaging

Part of the book series: Materials Horizons: From Nature to Nanomaterials ((MHFNN))

Abstract

The edible food packaging, being a kind of eco-friendly packaging, is designed to be eaten and biodegradable in nature similar to the food materials. This packaging technique delivers a synergistic approach for enhanced product life as a preservation practice and further aids in sustainability to the society for reduced food packaging waste. The current chapter puts a focus on addressing the status of edible food packaging in the global market and its trend in research and development in regard to other available packaging materials. The classes of biopolymers and others to be used as a component of edible food packaging include polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and waxes, plasticizers, and additives. The edible food packaging counts on good sustainable packaging as it helps in reducing food waste and also provides sustainability to the world. Some of the focused sectors for food processing include dairy, fruits, and vegetables, grains and cereals, fisheries, meat and poultry, consumer foods, etc. Additionally, the combined approach of using available preservation techniques such as thermal treatments, cold processing, preservatives, water controlling, non-thermal processing with edible food packaging can further improve the food traits. The transportation and exportation of edible food packaged materials can be made easily available using various secondary and tertiary packaging materials. It is noteworthy to mention that the inclusion of nanotechnology in edible food packaging can further provide multifunctional edible packaging materials contributing tunable packaging property, food texture, and to keep food products fresh for a longer duration. Thus, the present chapter further provides a brief overview of the importance of nanotechnology in edible food packaging describing the overview of the present book entitled “Nanotechnology in edible food packaging” and its various aspects for obtaining the tailored-made properties of food products via versatile routes.

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  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, North Guwahati, 781 039, Assam, India

    Tabli Ghosh & Vimal Katiyar

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Ghosh, T., Katiyar, V. (2021). Edible Food Packaging: An Introduction. In: Nanotechnology in Edible Food Packaging. Materials Horizons: From Nature to Nanomaterials. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-33-6169-0_1

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