Cellulose Based Nanomaterials for Food Packaging: Opportunities and Challenges

The concept of food packaging is crucial for both the enhanced shelf life of food products and consumer satisfaction. Conventional packaging films are created using polymers derived from petroleum that have adjustable qualities but are known to have negative environmental effects. In recent years there have been an increase in the usage of novel food packaging materials in the pursuit of sustainable development to confront environmental pollution and food wastage. Biopolymers such as cellulose are natural macromolecules and can be utilized as an alternative packaging resource. Due to their excellent film-forming capabilities, cellulose and its derivatives are viable sources for commercial packaging films. To reinforce the film network and give it new functionality, doped nanoparticles and other micro-scale interactions between cellulose and other polymers can be controlled. This present book chapter accentuates a thorough summary of current developments in the design, characteristics, and uses of high-tech flexible materials derived from nanocellulose. In addition, imperative role of nanocellulose in creating flexible materials is emphasized based on its essential properties. Finally, the outlook for the current issues and the prospects for creating flexible materials generated from nanocellulose are reviewed.