ABSTRACT
Edible films or coatings may be defined as “edible polymers applied as a layer of coating over food surface or as package from self-standing films developed, which create or modify atmosphere around the food and allow controlled exchange of gases without loss of aroma volatiles from inside the produce”. Edible films and coatings are defined according to the method of application over food products. Edible films are produced separately and then applied on the surface of food material, whereas coatings are either sprayed, panned or applied by dipping the surface of the food commodities in the film-forming mixture and then left to dry. Shelf-life preservation of different food commodities depends on the kind of packaging material. The major functionalities such as gas barrier properties, water vapour transmittance, thermal and mechanical properties of the edible films determine their use for a particular category of food products.
