Edible films and coatings are materials that can be directly consumed. They provide barrier and protection, while enhancing quality and safety of food products (Bourtoom, 2008). One of the main advantages of using edible packaging systems, as compared to synthetic packaging systems, is that they are integral part of the food product; they can be eaten, without the need to unpack and throw the package. Moreover these films usually are derived from renewable and edible components, offering the important advantage of being biodegradable and environmental friendly. They are not yet meant to replace conventional packaging, in fact they are currently used with no-edible materials to protect and improve food shelf life (Janjarasskul and Krochta, 2010).
There are important factors that need to be considered when selecting edible materials for food packaging applications: their ability to function as barrier to the environment; their capability to improve food preservation and processing techniques and to be effective carrier for bioactive compounds.