Food applications of bioactive marine gelatin films

Bioactive films from marine gelatin are being developed for food packaging to make sustainable environment-friendly alternatives to synthetic ones. In addition, gelatin polymer can be added or combined with other substances (i.e. antimicrobial and antioxidant molecules) or polymers that improve the intrinsic gelatin film properties to be active and smart. This review describes the latest advances in the research works on marine gelatin-based edible coatings and films, being as carrier of bioactive molecules with controlled release. The potential use of these films in food packaging for the preservation of fish, meat and vegetable products was also highlighted. It provides insights on the type of active additives and their release kinetics, as well as the future advances of gelatin-based food packaging.