Plant bioactives in carrageenan biocomposites for food preservation and quality monitoring: Functional performance and safety considerations.

The global drive toward sustainable and health-conscious food systems has intensified research into bio-based, functional packaging materials. Plant-derived bioactives, including essential oils, polyphenols, anthocyanins, pigments and herbal extracts, are increasingly explored as natural alternatives to synthetic preservatives in sustainable food packaging. Their antimicrobial, antioxidant and stimuli-responsive properties make them valuable for extending shelf life and enabling real-time quality monitoring of food materials. However, their practical use can pose potential health risks and hence requires suitable matrices to stabilise, protect and control their release. Carrageenan, a red seaweed-derived biopolymer, can be adopted as an effective carrier owing to its versatility in active and intelligent packaging systems. In this context, this review critically examines recent advancements in plant bioagent-loaded carrageenan biocomposites, emphasising their synergistic interactions, thereby further benefiting the development of biocomposites that are biodegradable, edible and compatible with food-contact applications. The novelty of this review lies in its integrated evaluation of both the performance benefits and potential safety considerations of incorporating bioactive compounds, and in analysing the current limitations, regulatory challenges and future directions for commercially viable applications. This balanced and critical approach provides a more holistic framework for future developments in the field.