Lignocellulosic Agricultural Biomass as a Biodegradable and Eco friendly Alternative for Polymer Based Food Packaging
Green technology as an innovative initiative has gained prominence over the last few decades, particularly in the packaging sector. Developing packaging materials from renewable and bio based sources has become quintessential, not only to combat problems of waste disposal but also, to impede stubble burning and facilitate conservation of wood resources. Valorization and conversion of renewable agro wastes to biodegradable composites has been proved to be a significant breakthrough in the field of packaging. A blanket ban on utilization of single use plastics makes these lignocellulosic materials even more promising for single use disposable applications. However, there still exists a gap in knowledge regarding their degradation behavior, migration properties and potentialities when put to commercial use. This review article provides a latest prior art in the development of packaging materials from agricultural by products/wastes such as sugarcane bagasse, rice straw, wheat straw, corn stalks, barley residues, etc. Through this review, the authors have also tried to explore and establish their realistic and promising potential as a sustainable packaging solution.