Microbial cellulose based films and composites for food packaging: a review

Currently, the production and application of non-biodegradable petroleum-based synthetic polymer (commonly known as plastic) are highly prevalent. As synthetic polymers as mostly non-biodegradable, they adversely affect the environment and result in the generation of excessive solid waste. The increasing awareness about the ill-effects of synthetic polymers among consumers has resulted in a demand for natural, disposable, biodegradable, reusable, or recyclable food packaging materials. Bio-based polymers and biopolymers have been one of the most favorable alternatives to be exploited and developed into eco-friendly food packaging materials. Certain microorganisms, such as Gluconoacetobacter xylinus, produce cellulose by a fully green procedure which is called bacterial cellulose. Bacterial cellulose demonstrates exceptional properties such as being a chemically pure material, highly flexible, high water absorbency, great tensile strength, highly crystalline nature, highly moldable, non-toxic nature, and biocompatible. However, there are some limitations such as lack of antibacterial properties, optical transparency, and stress-bearing capability which can be overcome by developing bacterial cellulose composites using hydrocolloids like proteins, starches, pectins, etc. The bacterial cellulose composites are employed to develop packaging films with properties such as high mechanical strength; antimicrobial, transparent, biodegradable, with air, water, and oil resistance properties, thus, making it an appropriate material for packaging.