Biodegradable Nanocomposite Packaging Films for Meat and Meat Products: A Review

The packaging of meat and meat products requires specific materials with a focus on the moisture content of food matrix and color stability. The present usage of petroleum-derived packaging materials are becoming obsolete for their non-biodegradability, non-environmental sustainability, and harmful effect on the life of land and aquatic animals, besides humans. Various research attempts were made successfully to use biopolymers for manufacturing eco-friendly packaging materials. But the mechanical, barrier and thermal properties remain not on a par with the films made from polyolefins. Nanomaterials in the form of reinforcing agents or fillers can improve the structural morphology of the biopolymer films rendering them a high-quality barrier, mechanical, thermal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. On the other hand, proper selection of nanomaterials considering the health and safety in the development of nanocomposites is a prerequisite in the formation of biodegradable films. This article reviews various types of biopolymers, nanofillers, biopolymer nanocomposites, antimicrobial nanocomposites, characterization of nanocomposites, health, and safety issues associated with the usage of nanocomposites. The review would impart comprehensive and advanced knowledge in the realm of biodegradable nanocomposite films with special reference to meat and meat products.