Seaweed based sustainable films and composites for food and pharmaceutical applications: A review

Abstract

Various studies have been focused on seaweeds derived polysaccharides based composites because of its renewability and sustainability for food packaging and pharmaceutical applications including tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound dressing. Alginate, carrageenan, and agar are widely used for this purpose due to their biocompatibility, availability, gelling capacity, and encapsulation efficiency. Essential oils (like oregano, clove, lemongrass, etc.) as antimicrobial and antioxidant agent, biopolymer (like starch, cellulose, chitosan, etc.), and nanoparticles (organically modified and unmodified inorganic nanoclays, nano-cellulose, carbon nanotubes) as reinforcing material are frequently used for the fabrication of seaweed based materials. Composites have an edge over pure polymer based material in terms of mechanical and barrier properties, controlled release of drugs, and adsorption efficiency. This review comprehensively addresses different types of additives and their impact on various functional properties of seaweed based composites, their methods of incorporation, and applications with special emphasis on food and pharmaceutical usage.