Recent advances in plant protein-based sustainable edible film and coatings for applications in the food-pharma industry – Opportunities and challenges: A review

Plant protein-based edible film and coatings have emerged as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic packaging, offering biodegradable, non-toxic solutions. Their biocompatibility and film-forming properties make them suitable for direct application on food products, reducing reliance on non-degradable plastics and lowering environmental pollution. Despite their promising advantages, challenges remain in optimizing mechanical properties, production scalability, and consumer acceptance. This review explores various plant protein sources, latest developments in film-forming techniques, and approaches to address current challenges in developing protein-based film and coatings, highlighting their potential applications in food-pharma industries. Plant-based protein films and coatings have good gas barriers and mechanical qualities. Using plasticizers and post treatments improved physical and mechanical properties of protein-based film and coatings. Moreover, plant protein-based films (PBFs) with active components can slow microbial growth and lipid oxidation. Overall, plant protein-based edible films and coatings hold promise for improving food quality and safety by incorporating bioactive compounds and enhancing barrier properties. However, gaps remain in optimizing their physio-mechanical characteristics, scaling up production, and exploring novel protein sources for diverse applications in food and pharmaceuticals.