A bibliometric analysis: what do we know about edible coatings?

Packaging aims first to protect the quality and safety of food. Although synthetic packaging is easy and practical to use, it significantly poses many health and environmental hazards. In this context, the need for environmentally and food-friendly packaging is increasing. Edible coatings with many barrier properties cover the food surface like a blanket. This study evaluated content analyses and research trends on the edible coating of foods. For this goal, a bibliometric network analysis of the studies that included the concepts of “edible packaging”, “coating”, and “food” together in the abstracts, keywords, and titles of the articles was carried out. Today, with this network analysis method, it is easier to summarize innovations in edible coating technology and their applicability to foods in a detailed and understandable way. Between 2016 and 2023, bibliometric data consisting of 2131 studies were processed VOSviewer program using the network analysis method. Results revealed that China is the leading country in coatings studies, followed by India. The study shows which foods and methods the coatings are applied.