Nanocellulose for Food Packaging Applications

Abstract

The growth of applied sciences and their scientific community and of industrialisation has immensely improved the life and livelihood of people in almost every field. Among the modern technologies, nanotechnology interventions have started yielding results for consumers. The role of nanotechnology in the food industry is rapidly evolving, especially in the areas of extending the longevity of food commodities and decreasing post-harvest losses. Within these broad areas, one of the common uses of nanotechnology in food technology is food packaging. The major objective of food packing is to keep food in a condition that should satisfy the industrial and consumer expectations as well as the norms and guidelines fixed by the regulatory bodies. Most of the materials presently being used in food packaging are synthetic as well as non-degradable, and their disposal is a matter of concern from an environment point of view. Steady endeavours are being made towards improvement of bio-based, efficient and, eco-amicable packaging materials that can supplant the ordinary petrol-based ones. Biopolymers are considered a preferable material due to their biodegradable nature and easy availability. Biopolymers require composite technology to blend with other filler material to increase their performance for applications related to food packaging. In this direction, research that has been initiated in last few years keeps nanocellulose as base material for food packaging material. The advantage of employing nanocellulose as base material is its easy and economical availability, and its eco-friendly nature. This chapter describes the role of nanocellulose in the production of various food packaging materials that protect food and extend its longevity. The initial part of the chapter will provide a brief introduction about cellulose, its structure and its extraction from natural sources. Synthesis of nanocellulose, its types, and its characterisations are also highlighted in the chapter. The main focus is given to the application of nanocellulose for food packaging, including a discussion on the basic requirements of food packaging, along with the nanofillers and nanocomposite materials commonly blended with nanocellulose to prepare food packaging material.