From waste to functional materials: preparation, modification, properties, and application of plant by-product polysaccharide-based biodegradable films in the field of food packaging

To address the challenges, such as resource depletion, environmental pollution, and health risks caused by traditional petroleum-based plastic packaging, the development of biodegradable alternative materials has become an important research direction in the field of food packaging. Plant-derived by-product polysaccharides (PPs) have attracted much attention in the field of bio-based food packaging due to their wide sources, low cost, good biodegradability, and low toxicity. PPs are prepared into biodegradable films, which have the dual potential of high-value utilization of waste and green packaging. Plant-derived by-product polysaccharide-based biodegradable films (PPBFs) can be regarded as a promising type of food packaging material. Firstly, this article summarizes the carrier materials of PPBFs and their structural-function relationships. Secondly, this review mainly discusses the preparation techniques, modification strategies, and applications of PPBFs. Finally, this article summarizes the characteristics, application progress, key challenges, and future research directions of PPBFs in various food preservation processes.