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Lignin is a complex polymer with a unique phenolic structure rich in methoxy and hydroxyl groups. When leveraged, lignin as a bioadhesive in renewable materials can impart exceptional UV-blocking, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties through mussel-inspired chemistry. These properties are highly desirable for food packaging, particularly in extending shelf life. However, the food industry faces significant challenges in fully harnessing lignin's potential due to inconsistencies in lignin quality, which result from variations in plant sources and extraction methods, ultimately affecting its performance in industrial applications. This review provides an in-depth overview of recent advances in lignin-derived macromolecules, emphasizing their inherent properties, controllable synthesis, and surface modification. It discusses various characteristics of lignin-conjugated biocomposites for food-packaging applications. It provides a side-by-side comparison of lignin-based bio-based materials with other biocomposites in terms of performance and cost. The review also highlights the challenges and prospects of using lignin-based materials to create high-performing products for the food market. It concludes with an outlook on unexplored opportunities, such as advanced bio-based composites, active-packaging solutions, novel lignin modifications, and innovative concepts for early implementation.
Oladzadabbasabadi et al. (Tue,) studied this question.