Nanostructured biolayers in food packaging

The interest in the development of biodegradable and renewable materials for food packaging applications has boosted research into new strategies to improve their barrier performance. This viewpoint compiles innovative strategies to achieve enhanced barrier properties by using “biolayering” technologies, based on nanolayers and nanostructured layers made of biopolymers, which are able to retain transparency and enhance barrier properties without significant changes in mechanical performance. This overview provides a description and original perspective related to the use of monolayer biocoatings, multi-layered biostructures, layer-by-layer nanobioassemblies, and of a methodology based on electrospun nanostructured biocoatings and biointerlayers to constitute novel functional biopackaging structures.

► Novel strategies to enhance barrier properties of biopolymers are presented.
► “Biolayering” technologies are reviewed.
► The nanofabrication of these biolayers can lead to improved material performance.
► Barrier improvement via electrospun nanostructured layers is shown.