Unveiling the sustainable sources, extraction methods and emerging applications of cellulosic nanofibers in food packaging industry: A review

The increasing environmental issues impacted by conventional plastic packaging have created an urgent demand for sustainable and biodegradable alternatives in the food industry. Cellulosic nanofiber (CNF) has been identified as a promising material due to their outstanding mechanical strength, biodegradability, excellent barrier properties, and renewable nature. Derived from a wide range of sustainable sources, including agricultural residues, forestry by-products, and aquatic biomass, CNF provides an eco-friendly solution with the concept of a circular economy. This article reviews recent studies to provide a comprehensive overview of CNF in the context of food packaging, with a focus on the sustainable sources, extraction methods, and emerging applications. The discussion begins with an introduction to different biomass sources and their environmental advantages, followed by a summary of extraction methods such as mechanical, chemical, enzymatic, and integrated approaches, outlining their benefits, limitations, and influence on the quality of the nanofibers. The recent advancements in CNF-based food packaging applications, including biodegradable films, coatings, and active packaging systems with improved barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, are summarized. Furthermore, these advancements demonstrate significant potential for extending food shelf life, enhancing safety, and reducing dependency on synthetic plastics. Despite the benefits, challenges regarding large-scale production, cost reduction, and regulatory approval should properly be addressed to enable successful commercialization. Overall, CNF performs as a sustainable alternative, reducing the environmental impact of packaging by satisfying the demand for safer and eco-sound food packaging solutions. • Diverse renewable sources enable sustainable production of cellulosic nanofiber (CNF). • Extraction methods are influenced by CNF morphology, yield, and functional properties. • CNF exhibits superior mechanical, thermal, and barrier performance in packaging. • Functionalized CNF offers active, intelligent, and antimicrobial potency in packaging. • Future perspectives rely on green processing, scalability, and industrial implementation.