journal article Open Access Jun 10, 2025

Exploring Cactus Mucilage for Sustainable Food Packaging: A Bibliometric Review of a Decade of Research

Processes Vol. 13 No. 6 pp. 1830 · MDPI AG
View at Publisher Save 10.3390/pr13061830
Abstract
This review presents a bibliometric analysis of the research landscape on cactus mucilage and its application in biodegradable films for food packaging. The objective was to identify scientific trends, key contributors, and emerging research areas from 2012 to 2022. Original scientific and review articles were retrieved from the Web of Science database and analyzed using VOSviewer software to map co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and country collaboration networks. The analysis revealed that Tunisia, the United States, Germany, and Luxembourg, along with their research institutions, are among the most productive contributors in this field. The study also identified leading authors and journals that focus on the development of cactus-based biodegradable films. Common research topics included extraction methods, film formulation, and evaluations of physical, chemical, and functional properties relevant to food packaging. The results emphasize the growing scientific interest in cactus mucilage as a renewable and sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers. This review provides insights into the current state of the field and highlights opportunities for innovation and collaboration in the development of environmentally friendly food packaging technologies.
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