The use of food packaging derived from petroleum-based polymers has developed significant environmental problems, as these materials require centuries to degrade and release hazardous pollutants. Consequently, the food industry is shifting toward biodegradable alternatives developed from agro-industrial by-products, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids. Whey protein is a by-product of the cheese industry, which is emerging as a promising material for producing edible and biodegradable films with effective barrier properties. Whey-based films can be incorporated with bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic compounds. These substances, naturally present in fruits, legumes, and vegetable waste, possess potent antimicrobial and antioxidant activities that are essential for extending the shelf life of perishable foods. This review provides a systematic evaluation of how the incorporation of phenolic compounds influences the physicochemical and bioactive properties of whey-based films. Thus, an analysis of film-forming methods, the interaction between protein matrices and phenolic compounds, and a critical discussion of the challenges remaining for their industrial application as active food packaging were evaluated. The discussion focuses on how the incorporation of phenolic extracts influences the physicochemical, mechanical, and barrier properties of the films, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial efficiency. The novelty of this review lies in its comprehensive focus on the sustained release of phenolic compounds from a whey protein film and their application in real food systems. By utilizing these natural additives, the industry can provide sustainable alternatives to synthetic preservatives. Active whey protein packaging represents a viable strategy to inhibit food spoilage, prevent lipid oxidation, and maintain sensory quality, while reducing the environmental problems.

In this study, a silica-based adsorbent was synthesized via a two-step sol–gel route. A branch of ora-pro-nobis (Pereskia aculeata Miller) was used as a porogenic template. The biomass was incorporated into the silica matrix and subsequently removed by calcination. The resulting material was characterized by nitrogen adsorption–desorption analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and its performance for erythrosine red adsorption from aqueous solution was evaluated. The incorporation of the biotemplate modified the pore structure of the silica, decreasing the BET specific surface area from 297.33 to 249.10 m² g⁻¹ while increasing the average BJH pore diameter from 2.26 to 3.66 nm. Adsorption was favored at pH 6 and rapidly approached equilibrium within approximately 5–7 min. The equilibrium data were satisfactorily described by the Langmuir model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 108.81 mg g⁻¹ at 25 °C. Adsorption capacity decreased with increasing temperature, and thermodynamic analysis indicated a spontaneous and exothermic process (ΔH° = −8.07 kJ mol⁻¹). Overall, ora-pro-nóbis biomass acted as a renewable porogenic biotemplate, modifying the pore architecture of silica. The resulting TSOPN material exhibited competitive adsorption performance for erythrosine removal.