Table 1 Different types of films with their specific applications

Anti-sprouting films

Carboxymethyl cellulose

coarse emulsions and nanoemulsions of citral

Application suppression of potato tuber sprouting

[4]

Cross-linked films

Different polymers with organic acids

Synthetic cross-linkers: Divalent calcium salts, sodium tripolyphosphate, N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylates, epichlorohydrin, and glutaraldehyde.

Natural: (Gallic, vanillic, cinnamic, caffeic, ferulic, tannic, citric, succinic, salicylic, rosmarinic acids, etc.)

To improve the physical and chemical properties of the film

[35, 36]

Active films

Natural additives (glucosides, polysaccharides, phytosterols, phenolic acids, esters, carotenoids, tannins, alkaloids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, terpenoids, caffeic acid, and other organic acids)

To reduce the surface multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms and prevent food deterioration

[37]

Multilayer films

The hydrophobic zein outer layer, hybrid zein/gelatin middle layer, and the hydrophilic gelatin inner layer

Tea polyphenol

To improve water barrier property

[38]

pH-sensitive films

Corn starch

Anthocyanins

Real-time quality assessment for packaged food products, as film color of changed from pink to purple and blue, as a function of the pH

[39]

Buckwheat starch

Natural rose petal extract

Composite films (multicomponent films)

Binary/ ternary/multiple biopolymers from, protein, polysaccharides, and lipids

Different active components have been reported

To improve the physical and chemical properties of primary polymer

[40]

Super-hydrophobic films

Chitosan

Tea polyphenol-carnauba wax material

extremely low water-absorbing quality

[40]

Thermal stable films

Polylactic acid

Bionano calcium carbonate

Thermal properties improved after incorporation of nano-CaCO₃

[41]

polysaccharide/gelatin

-

incorporation of gelatin into soybean polysaccharide films increased the thermal stability

[20]

Nano-engineered films

Chitosan

Zinc oxide nanoparticles with pomegranate peel active phenol compounds

For the preservation of pomegranate arils

[42]

Moisture resistant films

Mung bean starch

Sunflower seed oil

Increase in water-resistance properties

[17]

High-performance UV-blocking films

Alginate, Whey Protein

Curcumin

Incorporation of Curcumin enhanced UV-blocking efficiency within the films

[43]

Two-dimensional films

Different polymers

Graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, hexagonal boron nitride, layered double hydroxides, graphitic carbon nitride, transition metal carbides and nitrides

Improve mechanical, thermal, surface area, and electrocatalytic activity

[7]

Multi-Shaded films

Gelatin and starch

Food grade colorants

To attract the customers

[8]

High-barrier water vapor-resistant films

Hydrophobic polymers such as cellulose derivatives (such as ethyl cellulose), Polylactic acid

Food grade essential/vegetable oils, waxes, fats, gums, suitable plasticizers that are compatible with polymers

To improve the barrier property against water vapors

[44,45,46]

Carbon dioxide scavenging films

Different polymers such as zein and cellulose derivate

Carbon dioxide absorbers (Activated carbon, Zeolite, Ca(OH)₂, Na₂CO₃ can be used. Plasticizer can also improve the gas transmission

To improve the barrier property against carbon dioxide

[47, 48]

Ethylene-absorbing films

to absorb ethylene gas

[49]

Oxygen scavenging films

Starch, cellulose nanocrystals, polyhydroxyalkanoate, whey protein

Starch-highly ordered hydrogen-bonded network structure (increased crystallinity or higher amylopectin content in the sample improves the barrier properties), likewise, other polymers have inherent properties to control oxygen transmission. In addition, food-grade natural/synthetic antioxidants absorb and remove oxygen from the packaging

These films absorb and remove oxygen from the packaging, which helps to slow down the oxidation process

[50, 51]

Superior Ductile

Poly(lactic acid)

Biaxial stretching and constrained annealing to induce oriented nano-sized crystals induced

Sustainable packaging

[51]