**10. The future and conclusion**

The use of edible polymer films and coatings has great promise for enhancing food quality, shelf life, and safety. Continued study in the active packaging is justifiable given the potential benefits of edible polymers as carriers of antibacterial, coloring, antioxidant agents, vitamins, probiotics, and nutraceuticals. It has been realized that efficiency and active properties of edible polymers are largely influenced by the inherent properties of film-forming materials, such as biopolymers, plasticizers, and dopants. After analyzing particular functions, in both commonplace like polymers and specified applications, edible biopolymers are competitive. In an advantageous path, biopolymer can be effectively replaced by petroleum-based plastics used for packaging. Many studies have shown that active biopolymers, such as polysaccharides, lipids, and proteins, are used to prepare biodegradable polymer films. **Table 4** list out the different functions of edible films for the packaging applications.

The use of edible polymers on numerous food products is still evolving. The future enhancement of food quality and preservation during operations and storage is very bright thanks to edible polymer films and coatings. A novel innovative edible polymer is under progress, to enable the inclusion or regulated release of active chemicals using nanotechnology solutions, such as nanoencapsulation and development of multifaceted systems. As edible packaging serves intelligent packaging systems due to both active, selective, and infinite potential usage. The future trend may allow using nanoscale nutrients, different active dopants, and suitable delivery systems for biodegradable polymeric edible films in collaboration with nanotechnologies as they take a promise to improve the nutritional qualities of foods. However, nanocomposite concepts also being the motivation for novel systems in the field of edible films. Many other types of materials have been realized, and many more are on the way. However, more research is anticipated to focus on edible films and coatings' actual practical uses in the food business. Therefore, more effort is needed to manufacture desired edible polymer films and coatings for superior functionality and processing to commercial breakthrough.


#### **Table 4.**

*Different functions of edible films for the packaging applications [193].*

*A Study on Edible Polymer Films for Food Packaging Industry: Current Scenario… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.107997*
