Application of Edible and Biodegradable Starch-Based Films in Food Packaging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

In recent years, natural polymers such as starch have been widely considered as alternatives to plastics derived from petroleum derivatives in the production of packaging films. Currently, modified starches with new functional features are available that can be used in the production of the above mentioned films. The aim at this study is a systematic review and meta-analysis of application of edible and biodegradable starch-based films in food packaging. At first all of the studies related to our title by using some keywords (edible and biodegradable starch-based films and food packaging) searched for English databases; Google, Google scholar, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, SCOPUS and ISI web of Science during the 2010 to 2018 was run consisting a predefined inclusion and exclusion factors. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were: papers related to edible and biodegradable starch-based films and food packaging, papers were English, types of papers were original and all the papers were free full text. As a result, related to inclusion and exclusion criteria papers were found and analyses. Data were collected based on study characteristics, edible and biodegradable starch-based films, food packaging. In the initial search, 589 articles were found that after reviewing the titles and abstract articles and removing repetitive and non-related, 33 possible related articles were examined. Of these, 24 articles were omitted from the abstract because of lack of access to the original article and lack of sufficient information. Finally, 13 papers were included in the study. Due to novel research on the application of bio-degradable biofilms in the packaging industry of food, starch is one of the most promising and promising sources. Different needs in the food packaging industry for bio-films have led to the diverse sources of starch being studied, because each source has its own specific characteristics. The properties of films obtained from starch indicated the rigidity and reduced flexibility of the films. To prevent this and the corresponding effects on the film, other polymers can be used as additive compounds. Extending the use of starch structure techniques and the use of this material in combination with other materials to reduce the inherent weaknesses of this natural polymer has led to its further development in various industries, especially packaged industries. Starch is a proper substitute for polymers extracted from oil derivatives. In order to improve the characteristics of the produced films, a high number of compounds can be added to the matrix, and various variations can be applied during the processing. Optimizing conditions will produce transparent, non-odorous, non-flavored, and color-free films with improved mechanical, optical and deterrent features.