**4. Prospects of biocomposites for food packaging**

A polymer composite is a multiphase material in which reinforcing fillers are integrated with a polymer matrix, resulting in synergistic mechanical properties that neither component alone can achieve [49]. Biocomposites are composite materials composed of natural fiber and biopolymers such as polysaccharides. Plantderived fiber and bio-derived plastics resemble biopolymer or bioplastic; these kinds of composites are sometimes referred to as green composites and apparently exhibit more friendliness. Plus, they include biofibers and matrix polymer systems as the combination of two or more biopolymers may result in the creation of a new biopolymer tailored to specific needs and with brand new or more enhanced features [50].

Biocomposite packaging options can be made from a variety of natural sources, including polysaccharides. In current times, the polysaccharide family has managed to develop as novel origin materials as a replacement for their nonbiodegradable petrochemical-based counterparts. The ability to produce and contribute to the formation of a variety of polysaccharide films by imparting hardness, viscosity, and gel-forming capacity. The nontoxic properties allow for biodegradation and do not produce harmful by-products to the environment. It also has excellent gas permeability properties, which extend the product's shelf life [49].
