Advances in Sustainable Polymeric Materials Derived from Renewable Biopolymers Integrated with Nanotechnology for Active Food Preservation: A Review

This paper is a critical synthesis of the most recent developments in active polymeric material packaging systems and applies the principles to biopolymer-based active packaging system categorization, their role in activity, processing techniques and how they integrating active ingredient like antimicrobials, antioxidants, and gas scavengers. There is a particular focus on incorporation methods of active constituents, nanotechnology applications and integration of controlled-release systems into biopolymer carriers. This review uniquely integrates a structure – property – performance perspective to link molecular characteristics, processing parameters, and packaging performance of biopolymers. Unlike previous reviews, it consolidates the influence of molecular weight, chemical modifications, and active-agent incorporation methods within a single framework. The novelty of this work lies in mapping how these parameters collectively determine mechanical strength, barrier efficiency, and biodegradability, thereby highlighting emerging strategies for high-performance, sustainable food-packaging materials. The fate of being biodegraded, life cycle analysis, and compostability are essential concerns critically evaluated on the aspects of sustainability, whereas the challenges regarding mechanical constraints, scalability of the process, the regulations, and ingrained acceptance of the people are also discussed. Finally, the review summarized that interdisciplinary collaboration is needed to identify barriers and turn laboratory inventions into commercially viable, secure, and eco-friendly packaging.