This short review provides an overview of the applications of polysaccharides in food Packaging and their pivotal role in addressing sustainability and food preservation challenges. Polysaccharides such as chitosan, cellulose, and starch have emerged as eco-friendly alternatives to traditional synthetic Packaging materials. They offer various advantages including biodegradability, renewability, and the ability to tailor their properties to meet specific Packaging requirements. These polysaccharide-based materials serve as essential components in food Packaging applications such as wraps, coatings, and sachets. They not only contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of the food Packaging industry but also aid in preserving the freshness and safety of food products. Furthermore, polysaccharides can be modified to enhance their moisture resistance, barrier properties, or controlled-release capabilities making them adaptable to diverse Packaging requirements. Overall, polysaccharide-based materials have gained significant attention and the growing importance of polysaccharide-based materials in food Packaging is underscored by their versatile nature, biodegradability, eco-friendly attributes, and positive impact on sustainability. The adoption of polysaccharide-based materials represents a promising step towards sustainable and effective solutions in the dynamic field of food Packaging.

A new approach to improve the properties of plastics is the using of fillers. Nanoreinforcements are a class of fillers that have a dimension below 100 nm and lead to produce nanocomposites. The nanoreinforcements used in the fabrication of nanocomposites are divided to organic and inorganic materials. Cellulose nanocrystal, chitin and chitosan nanofibers and also starch nanoparticles are examples of organic nanomaterials. In this review paper, the structure and characteristics of organic nanofillers have been investigated. Moreover, their improving effect on the functional properties of polymers and biopolymers has been studied. Also, in the recent years the application of these nanomaterials has new insights such as enzyme immobilization and fabrication of nanohybrids. The new applications of organic nanomaterials that determine the future of research in this area, has been investigated in this paper.

Food Packaging ensures long-term storage and protection of all types of food against physical, chemical and biological factors. In some food Packaging, one of the purposes of Packaging is to keep its contents away from oxygen and external contaminants. Today, it is an important part of the materials used to package food from petroleum products. This has caused many environmental problems. One of the proposed solutions for this issue is the use of materials with photocatalytic activity along with synthetic (petroleum) polymers. Minerals that have this property include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. These light-sensitive materials are excited by receiving light. Hence, a hole (h*) in the valence band and an electron (e-) in the conduction band of these semiconductor compounds are created. The electron-hole pair leads to the production of active radicals which are responsible for attacking the plastic polymer chains. Consequently, changes in weight, mechanical properties, and plastic morphology are observed by realizing carbon dioxide and carbonyl groups. These changes demonstrate the decomposition of petroleum based polymers in the environment.

The global Packaging industry is primarily influenced by polyolefinic materials, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), which offer a combination of durability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. These materials have transformed modern Packaging through their lightweight offerings for food, medical, and industrial uses. The widespread employment of non-biodegradable plastics poses substantial challenges in waste management due to their persistent presence and significant contribution to plastic pollution. This review examines the characteristics, applications, and ecological implications of polyolefins, with a particular focus on their importance in Packaging. This paper examines recent advancements in biodegradable alternatives and chemical recycling methods, aiming to address the environmental challenges presented by plastic waste. Integrating natural fillers into polyolefin composites can boost biodegradability without compromising functionality. The review highlights the importance of a circular economy approach, which emphasizes sustainable practices for transforming polyolefin waste into valuable resources. This analysis explores the advantages and disadvantages of polyolefins to guide future research and sustainable Packaging policy.