Functionality and Properties of Bio-based Materials

Abstract

This chapter reviews the impact of recent developments in bio-based sustainable materials with enhanced functionality and its properties related to moisture permeability, porosity and tunable gas permeability characteristics on storing and packing wet and dry foods and fresh produce. Bio-based polymers, plastics, biodegradable plastics and composites are gaining interest as reasonable substitutes for non-renewable petrochemical-based products. Natural fibres such as jute, hemp, flax, banana, wheat straw, etc. are significant sources for making biodegradable composites having commercial importance as food packaging materials. Combining plant-based fibrous materials and biopolymers/biomass-derived polymers gives environmentally friendly and biodegradable biocomposites with sufficient flexibility and mechanical strength comparable to petroleum-based polymers. Improved mechanical resistance, thermal insulation and enhanced physico-chemical properties which are key to the barrier and permeability features in bio-based packaging materials are achieved. Protein-based materials, which demonstrate good barrier properties, being impermeable to oxygen (in the absence of moisture) and aromatic compounds, have also been investigated as potential food packaging materials. This chapter presents a review of the literature available on such processes, techniques and methods applied to exploit these sustainable bio-based materials.