Agricultural-based biopolymer packaging films and AI-integrated smart double-layer systems: Trends and innovations in food science and technology.

The ever-growing concern about petroleum-based packaging and the need to find more sustainable food packaging solutions from agriculture-based biopolymer films has led to this innovation. These materials are derived from biodegradable plant-based sources, including polysaccharides, proteins, and agricultural wastes, which are renewable, biodegradable, and less harmful to the environment. They are, however, low in mechanical and barrier properties and require design solutions. This review identifies recent developments from 2020 to 25 in biodegradable biopolymer films using structural engineering solutions, as well as in AI-based smart packaging, using a PRISMA-based systematic methodology. This database is selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, where Scopus delivers relevant results consistent with high-quality research and publications on the chosen niche. Results revealed shift of material from single solution material towards bi solution (2 layer) tri solution (3 layer) materials which provided stronger structural strength, water resistance and releasing of active compounds; on the contrary, the addition into its sensor technologies, AI algorithms (computer based analysis of data to create predictions and trends e.g. neural network, support vector machine) and IoT (sensor and smart device system where data are collected through cloud platforms), monitoring systems to the packaging film, has enabled the food safety industry to enjoy real time evaluation of food produce quality, predicting remaining days before product expires. These solutions will support multifunctional, smart, sustainable packaging that can be integrated across the food safety industry from the farm to the consumption table, thus reducing food waste and supporting the circularity of the economy.