Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents as Green Processing and Functional Media in Food Packaging
- 1Department of Food Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
Abstract
Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) are emerging as sustainable alternatives to conventional solvents owing to their low toxicity and biodegradability, offering multifunctional benefits for biopolymer-based packaging applications. This study reviews the various roles of NADES as solvents, processing media, plasticizers, and active components in film-forming and coating systems. The findings suggest that NADES effectively modify polymer chain mobility, enhancing mechanical performance and film homogeneity; thus, their use as plasticizers and functional carriers is highly promising. However, several barriers to industrial adoption remain, including limited research on scale-up processes, formulation dependency, high viscosity, and hygroscopic behaviors. Furthermore, the lack of regulatory recognition and insufficient data on the long-term exposure effects continue to hinder commercial implementation. Future efforts must transition from laboratory-scale empirical formulations to predictive, engineering-oriented designs, with priority given to the development of structure-property-function models that link NADES composition directly to polymer performance. Addressing these challenges will facilitate the development of high-performance, eco-friendly packaging materials that align with the principles of a circular economy.
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BibTeX
@article{aljurf2026natural,
title = {{Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents as Green Processing and Functional Media in Food Packaging}},
author = {Bodoor Nabil Aljurf and Deniz Sevim Çabuk and Özge Güven and Sarper Doğdu and Zeynep Canan Baş and Leyla Nesrin Kahyaoğlu},
journal = {Food Engineering Reviews},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1007/s12393-026-09447-8},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s12393-026-09447-8},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents as Green Processing and Functional Media in Food Packaging
AU - Bodoor Nabil Aljurf
AU - Deniz Sevim Çabuk
AU - Özge Güven
AU - Sarper Doğdu
AU - Zeynep Canan Baş
AU - Leyla Nesrin Kahyaoğlu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/29
JO - Food Engineering Reviews
DO - 10.1007/s12393-026-09447-8
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12393-026-09447-8
AB - Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) are emerging as sustainable alternatives to conventional solvents owing to their low toxicity and biodegradability, offering multifunctional benefits for biopolymer-based packaging applications. This study reviews the various roles of NADES as solvents, processing media, plasticizers, and active components in film-forming and coating systems. The findings suggest that NADES effectively modify polymer chain mobility, enhancing mechanical performance and film homogeneity; thus, their use as plasticizers and functional carriers is highly promising. However, several barriers to industrial adoption remain, including limited research on scale-up processes, formulation dependency, high viscosity, and hygroscopic behaviors. Furthermore, the lack of regulatory recognition and insufficient data on the long-term exposure effects continue to hinder commercial implementation. Future efforts must transition from laboratory-scale empirical formulations to predictive, engineering-oriented designs, with priority given to the development of structure-property-function models that link NADES composition directly to polymer performance. Addressing these challenges will facilitate the development of high-performance, eco-friendly packaging materials that align with the principles of a circular economy.
SN - 1866-7910
SN - 1866-7929
ER -