Review

Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings as Functional Packaging

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: August 1, 2026
TR EN

Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings as Functional Packaging

Abstract

Edible packaging derived from biopolymers and/or lipids is environmentally friendly, sustainable, and biodegradable, offering a natural alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Edible films and coatings (EFCs) can be applied to foods using materials safe for consumption, where they act as protective barriers against UV-light, mechanical damage, and the loss of soluble solids, water vapour, organic volatiles, and gases. By preserving food quality and nutritional value, they extend shelf life and enhance product stability. Beyond these technological benefits, their role as carriers for bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, nutrients, dietary fibres, probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics presents promising potential for applications in human health. Despite a substantial number of reviews focusing on the use of EFCs for food preservation and their protective properties, their potential health implications remain largely unexplored, even though these materials are intended to be consumed with food. Human studies are therefore necessary to evaluate their safety, bioavailability, and effectiveness in delivering health-promoting bioactive compounds. At the same time, challenges relating to formulation variability, sensory attributes, and industrial scalability must be addressed to enable their broader adoption. This review aims to bridge these gaps by providing a comprehensive overview of the applications, challenges, and prospects of EFCs. The necessity for interdisciplinary research in conjunction with supportive policies is emphasized, with the objective of advancing the development of sustainable packaging solutions and innovative tools that contribute to global health strategies.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

None

Ethical Statement

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Thanks

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References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Packaging, Storage and Transportation (Excl. Food and Agricultural Products)

Journal Section

Review

Early Pub Date

August 1, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

February 6, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Karaağaç, Y., & Büyüktuncer Demirel, Z. (2026). Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings as Functional Packaging. Gazi University Journal of Science, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.1883670
AMA
1.Karaağaç Y, Büyüktuncer Demirel Z. Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings as Functional Packaging. Gazi University Journal of Science. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.35378/gujs.1883670
Chicago
Karaağaç, Yasemin, and Zehra Büyüktuncer Demirel. 2026. “Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings As Functional Packaging”. Gazi University Journal of Science, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.1883670.
EndNote
Karaağaç Y, Büyüktuncer Demirel Z (August 1, 2026) Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings as Functional Packaging. Gazi University Journal of Science Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]Y. Karaağaç and Z. Büyüktuncer Demirel, “Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings as Functional Packaging”, Gazi University Journal of Science, no. Advanced Online Publication, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.35378/gujs.1883670.
ISNAD
Karaağaç, Yasemin - Büyüktuncer Demirel, Zehra. “Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings As Functional Packaging”. Gazi University Journal of Science. Advanced Online Publication (August 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.35378/gujs.1883670.
JAMA
1.Karaağaç Y, Büyüktuncer Demirel Z. Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings as Functional Packaging. Gazi University Journal of Science. 2026. doi:10.35378/gujs.1883670.
MLA
Karaağaç, Yasemin, and Zehra Büyüktuncer Demirel. “Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings As Functional Packaging”. Gazi University Journal of Science, no. Advanced Online Publication, Aug. 2026, doi:10.35378/gujs.1883670.
Vancouver
1.Yasemin Karaağaç, Zehra Büyüktuncer Demirel. Food Protection to Health Promotion: A Comprehensive Review of Edible Films and Coatings as Functional Packaging. Gazi University Journal of Science. 2026 Aug. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.35378/gujs.1883670