Konjac glucomannan-based films and coatings for food packaging: Advances, applications, and future perspectives.

Cailing Tong, Si Shi, Hongyan Huang, Wenhao Liu, Lihui Duan, Xianyang Xie, Jie Pang, Chunhua Wu, Jianxi Zhang, Junjie Tang

Journal: Carbohydrate polymers 2025;357():123474

PMID: 40158996

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Conventional petroleum-derived plastic food packaging poses risks to human health and environmental sustainability, while underperforming in preserving freshness and extending shelf life. This has spurred interest in biopolymers as sustainable alternatives. Konjac glucomannan (KGM), a natural biopolymer, stands out for its non-toxicity, film-forming ability, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, offering a sustainable solution to overcome conventional plastics' limitations.

SCOPE AND APPROACH

This review explores KGM's sources, production technologies, properties, and applications in food packaging. A literature search (2020-2025) using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus focused on peer-reviewed studies relevant to KGM-based films. Results show that KGM films enhance shelf life of perishable foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables, meats) by improving moisture retention, gas barriers, and antimicrobial activity.

CONCLUSION

Despite advantages, KGM films face challenges like mechanical strength limitations and humidity sensitivity. Strategies such as blending with biopolymers and incorporating nanoparticles improve performance. KGM-based packaging is emerging as an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum plastics, aligning with sustainability goals. Future research should optimize production processes and commercial scalability.

Address: Engineering Research Centre of Fujian-Taiwan Special Marine Food Processing and Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China.; School of Marine Biology, Xiamen Ocean Vocational College, Xiamen 361100, PR China. Electronic address: [email protected].; Engineering Research Centre of Fujian-Taiwan Special Marine Food Processing and Nutrition, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University Fuzhou, Fujian, 350002, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.123474

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MeSH Terms: Food Packaging, Mannans, Humans, Biopolymers, Anti-Infective Agents