Natural Additives in Smart Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review of their Roles in Active and Intelligent Packaging Systems

Natural additives encompass compounds derived from animals, minerals, plants and occasionally microorganisms. Integrating these additives into food packaging extends shelf life, enhances sensory characteristics and fortifies the safety of food articles. The incorporation of food additives plays a pivotal role in preserving flavor, nutritional value and texture, thereby ensuring their widespread acceptance. In recent years, consumers have exhibited a preference for food products devoid of additives. When faced with limited options, individuals tend to opt for foods containing natural additives rather than synthetic ones. The utilization of naturally sourced additives is prioritized over synthetic counterparts due to their minimal to nonexistent toxicity, as synthetic additives can present significant risks to human health. Natural additives have demonstrated efficacy in various capacities, including as antimicrobials, antioxidants, pH indicators, and enhancers of the mechanical and physical properties of food packaging. This review provides a brief overview of natural additives, their origins and their applications in real-world scenarios.