Challenges in Commercialization of Polysaccharide-Based Films

Because of their environmental compatibility and application in the food packaging business, biodegradable edible films have been increasingly relevant in food research in recent years. Biodegradable films can be made from a variety of materials, including lipids, proteins and polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are commonly utilized to make packaging material due to their extensive renewability, availability in nature, film-forming ability and biocompatibility. However, the most recurring difficulties in the commercialization of polysaccharide-based films are production cost. Also, the performance of various synthetic films as packaging material is still considered to be better than the polysaccharide ones in terms of some functional properties like the CO2/O2 permeability, water vapour absorption, etc. Thus, in order to enhance the commercialization of polysaccharide-based film, improvement in mechanical characteristics of polysaccharide films and the ability to withstand humidity need to be adopted. Polysaccharide altering strategies such as mixing polysaccharide with certain other biopolymers and cross-linking starch are among the options. Other strategies, such as using lipid in film compositions to boost moisture resistance, are feasible. Further, novel technologies like ohmic heating, pulsed electric field, etc. can be used for enhancement of polysaccharide-based edible film for wide commercialization.