Bacteriophage-integrated chitosan and PLA films for antimicrobial food packaging-a review

This review evaluates the potential of chitosan and polylactic acid (PLA)-based films incorporated with bacteriophages as antimicrobial and sustainable food packaging materials. The increasing burden of foodborne diseases and the environmental impact of plastic pollution highlight the need for dual-function packaging solutions. PLA provides biodegradability and mechanical strength, while chitosan offers biocompatibility and inherent antimicrobial activity; however, both materials individually show limited and inconsistent antibacterial performance. Previous studies mainly emphasize their benefits with less focus on challenges such as phage stability, controlled release and effectiveness in real-food systems. Bacteriophages offer highly specific, self-limiting antimicrobial action without promoting antimicrobial resistance. Their incorporation into PLA-chitosan films has shown significant reductions in key pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica , and Escherichia coli . This review summarizes current incorporation strategies, evaluates antimicrobial outcomes, and identifies remaining gaps. With further interdisciplinary research, phage-loaded biopolymer films could progress into next-generation packaging technologies that improve food safety and sustainability. .