Recent advances in biopolymer aerogels for food packaging: A design perspective across different formats

Biopolymer aerogels have increasingly been explored as functional components in food packaging systems, where lightweight structures, moisture management, active protection, and intelligent sensing are required. This review summarizes recent progress by categorizing aerogel applications into two major packaging formats: small aerogel labels and large aerogel pads or inserts. This organizational perspective differs from previous reviews that primarily focus on material types. We compile advances in polysaccharide- and protein-based aerogels, including systems derived from cellulose nanostructures, starch, chitosan, and whey proteins, and highlight how these materials are applied across distinct packaging functions. Small aerogel labels have been used as ethylene adsorbents, moisture and impurity scavengers, and intelligent colorimetric indicators capable of responding to pH changes or volatile amines for real-time freshness monitoring. Large aerogel pads function as superabsorbent elements for exudates, carriers for the controlled release of antimicrobial or antioxidant agents, cushioning pads for mechanical protection, and lightweight insulation components suitable for chilled or frozen foods. These emerging applications illustrate the versatility of biopolymer aerogels while also revealing challenges such as limited wet stability, regulatory barriers for active components, and the high cost of scalable fabrication. By structuring current knowledge around packaging format and functional roles, this review provides a consolidated and application-oriented overview of the practical potential, limitations, and future opportunities of biopolymer aerogels in next-generation intelligent and active food-packaging systems.