Sustainable food packaging derived from carbohydrates, proteins, and nanocomposites has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics, addressing environmental concerns while maintaining food quality and safety. Carbo...

Sustainable food packaging derived from carbohydrates, proteins, and nanocomposites has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics, addressing environmental concerns while maintaining food quality and safety. Carbohydrate-based materials such as starch, cellulose, chitosan, and plant-derived polysaccharides are renewable, biodegradable, and capable of forming edible or compostable films with good oxygen barrier properties. Protein-based packaging systems derived from sources such as whey, casein, soy, gelatin, and plant proteins offer excellent film-forming ability, mechanical strength, and gas barrier performance due to their cohesive molecular networks. However, their inherent sensitivity to moisture often limits standalone applications. The incorporation of nanocomposites, including nanocellulose, nanoclays, metal oxide nanoparticles, or biopolymer-based nanofillers, significantly enhances mechanical strength, thermal stability, and barrier properties while enabling active and intelligent functionalities. Together, carbohydrates, proteins, and nanocomposites enable the design of multifunctional, bio-based packaging systems that support circular bioeconomy principles, valorize agro-industrial byproducts, reduce plastic waste, and contribute to sustainable food systems.