The interaction between nanocellulose and microorganisms for new degradable packaging: A review

Carbohydr Polym. 2022 Nov 1:295:119899. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119899. Epub 2022 Jul 21.

Abstract

Nanocellulose (NC), including cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), and bacterial cellulose (BC), has attracted a great deal of attention as a green packaging material. NC can protect food from pathogen adhesion and can be degraded by microorganisms after being discarded. In this review, we introduce preparations of NC-based film, including layer by layer (LbL) assembly, electrospinning, coating, extrusion, casting, vacuum filtration, and immersion. We summarize the interaction between microorganisms and NC, and focused on the impact of NC on microbial adhesion to surfaces and the influence of microorganisms on degradation of NC-based film. We put forward the challenges of NC faces in packaging, such as hydrophobicity, antibacterial properties, and industrialization. We finally propose future perspectives of NC-based film as the packaging material.

Keywords: Bacterial cellulose; Biodegradation; Cellulose nanocrystals; Cellulose nanofibrils; Degradable packaging film; Nanocellulose.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Cellulose* / chemistry
  • Food Packaging
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cellulose