Bacterial nanocellulose composites for sustainable food packaging: a strategy to reduce postharvest loss in fresh produce

Postharvest losses (PHLs) in fresh produce have significantly affected the economic growth, environmental sustainability, market commercialization, and overall food security. These challenges require effective strategies to improve storage, preservation and transportation practices. The traditional methods of preservation largely include the use of petroleum-based plastics and chemical preservatives, which pose serious risks to human health and the environment. Edible coatings and films, therefore, are proposed as a substitute for plastic-based packaging to reduce postharvest losses because of their natural origin. Nanocellulose of bacterial origin, particularly by Komagataeibacter xylinus, can serve as a biodegradable biopolymer that is sustainable and can be used to preserve fresh products. The use of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has gained considerable attention due to its outstanding physicochemical properties, such as high crystallinity, purity, ultrafine nanofibrillar architecture, high water retention capacity, and strong tensile strength. This review emphasizes BNC-based composites for preserving fresh produce. By controlling gas exchange, respiration rate, and ambient moisture levels, BNC-based packaging could preserve the nutritional and sensory quality of fruits and vegetables and reduces post-harvest degradation. Various BNC production strategies and low-cost substrates like industrial wastes, food waste, and agricultural products, for BNC production are also summarized in this article. Functionalization of BNC through the incorporation of natural additives like biopolymers (e.g., chitosan, pectin), nanoparticles (e.g., Ag, TiO₂), antimicrobial, and antioxidant agents can further enhance its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and barrier performance. As a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, BNC-based packaging could efficiently contribute towards reducing PHLs, while supporting the environment. These packaging systems have the potential to contribute to UN SDG goals, particularly 2, 3, 7, and 12, and align with the recently introduced BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Employment, and Environment) Policy.