A Review on the Synthesis of Biodegradable Plastics Reinforced with Green-Synthesized Nanoparticles for Food Packaging Applications

AbstractThe ecological effect of synthetic plastics is also of great concern, as they are responsible for many ecological problems, such as blockage of drains resulting in flooding, killing aquatic life, interference with soil aeration, hindrance of water uptake by plant roots, emission of microplastics to bottled water, enhanced carbon footprint, and emission of harmful gases. Green synthesis to produce biodegradable plastics is a great option to offer a solution to reduce ecological pollution. Nevertheless, the poor properties of such biodegradable materials have necessitated extensive research for their optimization. This overview emphasizes the addition of nanoparticles into various biodegradable plastic matrices, which has been found to improve mechanical characteristics, thermal stability, hydrophobicity, and water solubility. The paper discussed several nanoparticles incorporated in biodegradable plastics. These nanoparticles are antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer, and their incorporation into biodegradable films provides antimicrobial properties, thus enhancing the shelf life of food items. Hence, nanoparticle-enriched films have the potential for use in active food packaging. However, the transfer of nanoparticles from the packaging material into the food is still a major issue that needs further study and addressing.