ABSTRACT
In foods, an absence of desirable organoleptic characteristics affects consumer preferences and limits market availability, causing considerable economic losses. Therefore, producers aim to conserve the desirable attributes of food (e.g., texture, color, and flavor). Edible coatings made of polymers generate a modified atmosphere on coated foods. Edible 2films and coatings can regulate gas exchange, control respiration rate, reduce water loss and decrease the loss of other food components. Moreover, films and coatings can act as carriers of functional ingredients (e.g., antimicrobial and antioxidant agents and vitamins). Thus, active edible polymer coating has become an attractive technology for maintaining food quality and extending shelf life. In this chapter, we provide an overview of recent advances in edible films and coatings from renewable sources.
