Open Access

REVIEW

Biobased Biodegradable Plastics for Food Packaging: Recent Progress, Feasibility and Limitations

Kuok Ho Daniel Tang^*
Department of Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
* Corresponding Author: Kuok Ho Daniel Tang. Email:
(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Development and Application of Biodegradable Plastics)

Journal of Polymer Materials https://doi.org/10.32604/jpm.2025.074391

Received 10 October 2025; Accepted 12 December 2025; Published online 04 January 2026

Abstract

Biobased biodegradable plastics have gained increasing attention as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based materials in food packaging, offering biodegradability, renewability, and reduced environmental impact. This review adopts a narrative review approach, integrating studies published between 2015 and 2025 from major databases to critically evaluate the recent advances, feasibility, and limitations of biobased biodegradable plastics in food packaging. Literature was thematically analyzed by material type and functional enhancement to assess their feasibility and limitations for sustainable packaging applications. Recent advances have focused on enhancing their mechanical, barrier, and functional properties through polymer blending, nanoparticle reinforcement, and incorporation of natural bioactive agents. Starch-based bioplastics, derived from renewable sources such as corn and cassava, have been improved by blending with polylactic acid (PLA) or polybutylene succinate (PBS) and reinforcing with nanocellulose or silica to enhance flexibility, strength, and thermal stability. Incorporating plant extracts and polyphenols has added antioxidant and antimicrobial functions. PLA-based films have benefited from nanoparticle fillers like zinc oxide and lignin nanoparticles, and the integration of bioactive compounds such as tea polyphenols and hop extract has enabled multifunctional, intelligent packaging with controlled release and UV protection. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), produced microbially, have been functionalized with tannins, ferulic acid, and other natural agents to achieve high antioxidant, antibacterial, and UV-blocking performance, while multilayer coatings have improved moisture and gas resistance. PBS composites have been enhanced using nanofillers like silver or magnesium oxide and natural additives such as quercetin and essential oils, thereby improving durability and bioactivity. Emerging materials, including chitosan-, protein-, and polysaccharide-based films, show excellent film-forming ability and compatibility with natural antimicrobials; smart systems with pH-sensing and UV-shielding functions further extend food shelf life. Despite remaining challenges such as cost, moisture sensitivity, limited scalability, and potential competition with food resources, recent progress demonstrates that biobased biodegradable plastics hold strong potential to advance sustainable, high-performance food packaging, particularly when waste is valorized. Future research should focus on improving the cost-effectiveness, scalability, and moisture resistance of biobased biodegradable plastics, while advancing waste-derived feedstocks, multifunctional smart packaging, and comprehensive life cycle assessments to ensure sustainable and practical food packaging solutions.

---

Keywords

Biodegradable; bioplastics; compostable; nanoparticle reinforcement; polymer blending; sustainable packaging

---