A review on sources of biopolymers, antimicrobial agents, and biodegradable packaging

Biopolymer-based antimicrobial packaging integrates renewable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), chitosan, cellulose, and protein-based matrices with active agents including essential oils, plant extracts, bacteriocins, and metallic nanoparticles to inhibit microbial proliferation, preserve food quality, and extend shelf life. Recent advances (2023–2025) emphasize migration-controlled and non-migratory delivery systems, nanoencapsulation, and electrospinning to enhance antimicrobial stability, release kinetics, and compatibility with diverse food matrices. Comparative studies demonstrate that polymer–antimicrobial compatibility, food surface characteristics, and storage conditions critically influence preservation efficacy. Applications span perishable commodities such as dairy, meat, seafood, and fresh produce, with reported reductions of > 90% in Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus populations under optimized formulations. This review consolidates recent developments in material design, antimicrobial mechanism elucidation, and sustainability assessment, highlighting synergistic interactions between active agents, biopolymer matrices, and targeted food systems. Future research priorities include multifunctional systems integrating antimicrobial, antioxidant, and smart sensing capabilities, as well as regulatory harmonization to accelerate commercialization.