Gelatin-based materials: fabrication, properties and applications in the food packaging system

Abstract

As a natural biodegradable polymer derived from animal proteins, gelatin exhibits significant potential in environmentally friendly food packaging. This review briefly outlines the preparation and cross-linking methods of gelatin, explores the regulatory mechanisms of different cross-linking strategies on material properties, and analyzes the multi-form application characteristics of gelatin in packaging, elucidating its structure–property relationships. Additionally, this review summarizes intelligent active packaging systems based on gelatin, which integrate bioactive substances (e.g., antimicrobial agents, pH indicators) to achieve real-time food freshness monitoring and shelf-life extension. By deeply analyzing the interplay between the composition, structure, and performance of gelatin-based materials, this review provides innovative insights for designing intelligent and sustainable gelatin-based packaging materials, while highlighting future challenges in scalability and regulatory standardization.