Bacterial cellulose-driven sustainable food packaging innovations: Biosynthesis, functionalization, and applications

About one-third of the world’s food is lost and wasted in the supply chain each year. While the widespread utilisation of petroleum-derived plastic packaging has played a crucial role in mitigating losses of perishable food, its non-degradable characteristics pose a serious threat to global biodiversity and ecological systems. This urgent scenario necessitates the development of high-performance renewable materials with low-carbon emission profiles. Distinguished by its purity, mechanical strength, biodegradability, and adjustable structure, bacterial cellulose (BC) synthesised through microbial metabolism emerges as a promising candidate for sustainable packaging solutions. This review systematically introduced BC production methodologies and structural characteristics. BC exhibits remarkable intrinsic properties, including high mechanical strength, thermal stability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, making it a frequently engineered substrate for food packaging. Recent breakthroughs in BC-based packaging preparation methods through both in-situ biosynthesis and ex-situ processing techniques were discussed. Furthermore, diverse BC-based packaging applications were presented, spanning films, coatings, and hydrogel/aerogel systems in the food field. Finally, the application prospects and challenges faced by BC-based packaging were summarized. The green, sustainable, and environment-friendly BC has immeasurable potential to displace petroleum-derived plastic. Although a substantial amount of research on high-performance BC is not focused on the development of packaging materials, the findings may nonetheless lead to new alternatives for the food industry. Continued material innovation and technological improvements are expected to address plastic pollution and demonstrate significant potential for enhancing food shelf life, safety, and quality. • BC becomes an effective alternative solution for petroleum plastic. • Production methodologies and properties of BC are introduced. • Approaches for BC modification are elaborated. • Applications in food packaging based on BC composite are summarized. • Challenges and future prospects for BC-based composites in packaging are discussed.