Nanostructured Antimicrobials in Food Packaging—Recent Advances

• Published in: Biotechnology journal 2019-12, Vol.14 (12), p.e1900068-n/a
• Main Authors: Azeredo, Henriette M. C., Otoni, Caio G., Corrêa, Daniel S., Assis, Odílio B. G., Moura, Márcia R., Mattoso, Luiz Henrique C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Infective Agents - chemistry; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Drug Delivery Systems; Food; Food Packaging - methods; Food Preservation - methods; Humans; metal oxides; montmorillonite; Nanocapsules; nanoencapsulation; Nanofibers; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanostructures - chemistry; Particle Size; polymers; Silver - chemistry; silver nanoparticles
• ISSN: 1860-6768; 1860-7314
• DOI: 10.1002/biot.201900068

Active food packaging systems promote better food quality and/or stability, such as by releasing antimicrobial agents into food. Advantages of adding antimicrobials to the packaging material instead of into the bulk food include controlled diffusion, reduced antimicrobial contents, and improved cost effectiveness. Nanostructured antimicrobials are especially effective due to their high specific surface area. The present review is focused on recent advances and findings on the main nanostructured antimicrobial packaging systems for food packaging purposes. Several kinds of nanostructures, including both inorganic particles and organic structures, have been proven effective antimicrobials by different mechanisms of action and with different application scopes. Moreover, there are systems containing nanocarriers to protect antimicrobials and deliver them in a controlled fashion. On the other hand, scientific data about migration of nanostructures onto food and their toxicity are still limited, requiring special attention from researchers and regulation sectors. The latest and most relevant research outputs on active food packaging comprising nanostructured antimicrobial agents are summarized. Although its approach is concise, this review is rather comprehensive in content by addressing a range of nano‐sized inorganic particles, organic structures, and carrier systems that have been demonstrated to deplete the development of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in food matrices. This article is part of an AFOB (Asian Federation of Biotechnology) Special issue. To learn more about the AFOB visit www.afob.org.