Essential oils as a natural additive in the edible films and coatings (active packaging system): A Review

Background: Common plastics used in food packaging have a lot of environmental problems. The aim of this study, was to review the latest research results on edible and biodegradable packaging and the positive effect of essential oil in them. Methods: In order to gather information, articles containing one of the words in their text, including: Food packaging, Edible film, Essential oils and Biodegradable film were searched between 1993 and 2017 in Science direct, Elsevier, Springer, American chemical society (ACS) databases. Findings: Based on the results of studies, added of essential oils to the biodegradable films caused non-continuous State in the polymer matrix that leads to changes in physical properties such as the weakening the structure, reducing the permeability to water vapor and an increase in turbidity. In addition incorporated of essential oils can cause the creation of antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics in films. Conclusion: As compared to conventional emulsion this method is an appropriate route for used in food technology because it can maintain greater of Essential oils in the biopolymer