Advances in biopolymer-based multi-layer film preparations and food packaging applications

In recent years, efforts to counteract human-caused environmental damage resulted in a sharp increase in the demand for biopolymer films, which are becoming an interesting alternative to synthetic films. Single-layered films based on biopolymers have many operational drawbacks, therefore the production of multi-layered materials is a specific answer to minimize these limitations. The multi-layered films showed better mechanical, barrier and controlled release properties compared to monolayered films and were more suitable for active food packaging applications. This review presents methods for the preparation of multilayer films based on biopolymers. Then, the functional properties of this type of material are discussed. The presented results indicate that multilayer films have better parameters of functional properties compared to single-layer films. The next subchapter comprehensively discusses the practical application of multi-layered packaging films in the field of food industry. The biodegradation of the biopolymer-based multi-layered food packaging film was also discussed. Finally, the challenges and perspectives in the field of multi-layered materials are discussed, pointing to opportunities to overcome some of the limitations.