Emerging Natural Hydrocolloids

23 Edible/Biodegradable Films and Coatings from Natural Hydrocolloids

Younes Zahedi

Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, P.O. Box 56199‐11367, Ardabil, Iran

23.1 Introduction

The use of synthetic plastics for packaging of foods, pharmaceutical, and other products has increased extensively in the past 70 years, causing environmental pollution by plastic wastes. On the other hand, the ever‐shrinking oil reservoirs, concerns about toxic migration, and the increasing trend for safe and organic foods are the reasons for the growing demand for sustainable/green packaging in the last decades. Renewable agricultural and biomass feedstock, which are safe and of natural origin, are being used to develop non‐polluting biodegradable plastics and biopolymers [1]. Materials that can be used to make edible or biodegradable films include polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and polyesters or combinations of these materials. Edible, biodegradable films and coatings can act as barriers to control the transfer of moisture, oxygen, carbon dioxide, lipids, and flavor components and thus maintain the quality and increase the shelf life of food products [2]. Starch obtained from different plant sources is the most common polysaccharide used, either alone or in combination with other substances, for film production. Also, other commercial hydrocolloids, for example, xanthan, alginate, agar, carrageenan, ...