article · Italian Journal of Food Science
Alginate is a natural, adaptable, and biodegradable biopolymer derived primarily from seaweed and microbial sources. It is increasingly viewed as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics within the food packaging sector. Advances in extraction techniques, chemical functionalisation, and the integration of nanotechnology have enhanced its functional performance. When processed into films, coatings, blends, and composites, alginate offers useful mechanical strength and barrier properties that can help lower environmental impacts. Despite this potential to transform food packaging into an eco-friendly industry, existing limitations persist. Ongoing research and innovation remain necessary to address these material barriers and expand the wider industrial use of alginate.
Conventional plastic packaging contributes heavily to global environmental waste. Alginate offers a biodegradable and sustainable replacement sourced from natural materials such as seaweed. Understanding how to extract, chemically modify, and formulate alginate into strong protective coatings and films is essential for developing viable alternatives that reduce plastic pollution without compromising food protection.
The material shows promise for packaging manufacturers and food processors seeking biodegradable films and coatings. However, because technical limitations remain and further research is cited as necessary to expand industrial adoption, alginate-based alternatives appear to be at an applied research stage rather than immediately ready for full-scale commercial replacement of standard plastics.
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Alginate, a natural biopolymer sourced primarily from seaweed and microbial origins, has garnered increased attention for its adaptability, biodegradability, and sustainability, making it a valuable material for food packaging applications. This review provides an in-depth examination of the current advancements in alginate, including its sources, extraction techniques, synthesis methods, and diverse applications within the food packaging industry. The review will detail various alginate extraction methods, along with modifications, including chemical functionalization and nanotechnology integration. Key applications of alginate, such as films, coatings, blends, and composites, are analyzed, emphasizing their biodegradability, mechanical strength, and barrier properties, which contribute to reducing environmental impact, with details also displayed. Additionally, this review underscores alginate’s potential to transform the food packaging industry into a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics, addressing critical environmental challenges. The existing limitations, which create the need for ongoing research and innovation to overcome these barriers and expand the industrial applications of alginate, are also discussed here.
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DOI: 10.15586/ijfs.v37i4.3033
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