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Journal ArticleDOI

Antimicrobial nanoparticles and biodegradable polymer composites for active food packaging applications.

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss antimicrobial composite materials for active food packaging applications that combine highly efficient antibacterial nanoparticles with biodegradable and environmentally friendly green polymers (i.e., gelatin, alginate, cellulose, and chitosan) obtained from plants, bacteria, and animals.
Abstract: The food industry faces numerous challenges to assure provision of tasty and convenient food that possesses extended shelf life and shows long-term high-quality preservation. Research and development of antimicrobial materials for food applications have provided active antibacterial packaging technologies that are able to meet these challenges. Furthermore, consumers expect and demand sustainable packaging materials that would reduce environmental problems associated with plastic waste. In this review, we discuss antimicrobial composite materials for active food packaging applications that combine highly efficient antibacterial nanoparticles (i.e., metal, metal oxide, mesoporous silica and graphene-based nanomaterials) with biodegradable and environmentally friendly green polymers (i.e., gelatin, alginate, cellulose, and chitosan) obtained from plants, bacteria, and animals. In addition, innovative syntheses and processing techniques used to obtain active and safe packaging are showcased. Implementation of such green active packaging can significantly reduce the risk of foodborne pathogen outbreaks, improve food safety and quality, and minimize product losses, while reducing waste and maintaining sustainability.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , the importance, sources, and techno-functional properties of plant-derived proteins for food packaging are discussed, and the impact of different additives on the functionality of plant protein-based biodegradable materials is also investigated.
Abstract: Plant-based proteins as an alternative to synthetic polymers have attracted the interest of the global packaging industry in the last decade due to their biodegradability, sustainability, environmental, and beneficial health claims. This review covers the recent developments in biodegradable packaging such as edible films/coatings and innovative packaging materials based on plant protein sources. The importance, sources, and techno-functional properties of plant-derived proteins for food packaging are discussed. The impact of different additives on the functionality of plant protein-based biodegradable materials is also investigated. In addition, plant protein-based packaging characteristics and their application in food are also introduced. The sustainability, biodegradability, renewability, and appropriate mechanical and techno-functional properties of proteins from plant origin make them an emerging substitute to the conventional synthetic polymers currently used as food packaging. The functional performance of plant protein-based biodegradable materials can be extended or enhanced by incorporating other additives or biopolymers. Bio-packaging materials made from plant-based proteins provide great potential for enhancing food quality and safety, reducing the environmental pollution. Schematic representation of major plant sources with protein components as the origin of biopolymeric packaging materials for applications in food packaging. • Plant-based protein films/coatings provide great potential for enhancing food quality. • Plant-based protein films/coatings are delivery systems for various bioactives. • Blending plant-based protein with nanoparticles improves functionality of coatings/films. • Plant-based protein packaging characteristics and their application in foods are summarized.

76 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , a review of biopolymer-based food packaging materials and their composites, their biodegradation mechanisms, and the effect of nano-additives on the food packaging properties are presented.

73 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, quercetin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (QCNP) were used to prepare chitosa-based bioactive packaging films and the QCNP was characterized using analytical methods.

52 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of current innovative synthesis methods for obtaining metal oxide nanoparticles and current incorporation techniques used to obtain smart (active and/or intelligent) packaging, focusing on bio-nanocomposites, commonly used metal oxides and future mixed metal or doped metal oxide.
Abstract: Background Food safety and food security remain the major concern of consumers and the food industry. Bacterial contamination continues to be a crucial food safety issue. Smart packaging incorporates both active and intelligent components. Intrinsic antibacterial activity, oxygen and ethylene scavenging (active) and the sensing (intelligent) properties of metal oxide nanoparticles are in research focus for application in smart food packaging, especially bio-nanocomposite films. Scope and approach Metal oxide nanoparticle properties are closely linked to their morphology resulting from the synthesis process. In this review, we cover current innovative synthesis methods for obtaining metal oxide nanoparticles and current incorporation techniques used to obtain smart (active and/or intelligent) packaging, focusing on bio-nanocomposites, commonly used metal oxides and future mixed metal or doped metal oxides. Taking into account safety, we focus on current legislation, and methods for risk assessment due to particle release from the packaging material and a summary of cytotoxic studies of metal oxide nanoparticles on human cells and the gut microbiota. Key findings and conclusions Antimicrobial effectiveness of metal oxide nanoparticles is highly dependent on morphology as a result of the synthesis method. Solution casting and electrospinning are innovative methods applied to synthesize metal oxide incorporated biopolymer films for active packaging with improved mechanical and barrier properties combined with active components (antimicrobial, ethylene scavenging). Metal oxides show sensitivity and selectivity to most gases produced during food spoilage. In selection of metal oxide for smart packaging, particle migration and cytotoxic activity are key issues requiring careful and detailed characterization.

50 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of polymer and polymer composites used in food packaging applications is presented in this paper , with a focus on biodegradable polymers, and the utilities of polymers in advanced food packaging are highlighted and categorized into three classifications of packaging: improved, active, and intelligent.

47 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Global plastics production and the accumulation of plastic waste are documented, showing that trends in mega- and macro-plastic accumulation rates are no longer uniformly increasing and that the average size of plastic particles in the environment seems to be decreasing.
Abstract: One of the most ubiquitous and long-lasting recent changes to the surface of our planet is the accumulation and fragmentation of plastics. Within just a few decades since mass production of plastic...

4,044 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The antibacterial mechanisms of NPs against bacteria and the factors that are involved are discussed and the limitations of current research are discussed.
Abstract: Nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used to target bacteria as an alternative to antibiotics. Nanotechnology may be particularly advantageous in treating bacterial infections. Examples include the utilization of NPs in antibacterial coatings for implantable devices and medicinal materials to prevent infection and promote wound healing, in antibiotic delivery systems to treat disease, in bacterial detection systems to generate microbial diagnostics, and in antibacterial vaccines to control bacterial infections. The antibacterial mechanisms of NPs are poorly understood, but the currently accepted mechanisms include oxidative stress induction, metal ion release, and non-oxidative mechanisms. The multiple simultaneous mechanisms of action against microbes would require multiple simultaneous gene mutations in the same bacterial cell for antibacterial resistance to develop; therefore, it is difficult for bacterial cells to become resistant to NPs. In this review, we discuss the antibacterial mechanisms of NPs against bacteria and the factors that are involved. The limitations of current research are also discussed.

2,178 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 2011
TL;DR: Several applications of nanomaterials in food packaging and food safety are reviewed, including polymer/clay nanocomposites as high barrier packaging materials, silver nanoparticles as potent antimicrobial agents, and nanosensors and nanomMaterial-based assays for the detection of food-relevant analytes.
Abstract: In this article, several applications of nanomaterials in food packaging and food safety are reviewed, including: polymer/clay nanocomposites as high barrier packaging materials, silver nanoparticles as potent antimicrobial agents, and nanosensors and nanomaterial-based assays for the detection of food-relevant analytes (gasses, small organic molecules and food-borne pathogens). In addition to covering the technical aspects of these topics, the current commercial status and understanding of health implications of these technologies are also discussed. These applications were chosen because they do not involve direct addition of nanoparticles to consumed foods, and thus are more likely to be marketed to the public in the short term.

1,568 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a unique material that exhibits semiconducting, piezoelectric, and pyroelectric multiple properties as discussed by the authors, and it has been shown that ZnO is probably the richest family of nanostructures among all materials.

1,332 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is believed that silver nanoparticles can be engineered so as to increase their efficacy, stability, specificity, biosafety and biocompatibility, and ascertaining the susceptibility of cytoxicity, genotoxicity, and inflammatory response to human cells upon AgNPs exposure.
Abstract: Multidrug resistance of the pathogenic microorganisms to the antimicrobial drugs has become a major impediment toward successful diagnosis and management of infectious diseases. Recent advancements in nanotechnology-based medicines have opened new horizons for combating multidrug resistance in microorganisms. In particular, the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as a potent antibacterial agent has received much attention. The most critical physico-chemical parameters that affect the antimicrobial potential of AgNPs include size, shape, surface charge, concentration and colloidal state. AgNPs exhibits their antimicrobial potential through multifaceted mechanisms. AgNPs adhesion to microbial cells, penetration inside the cells, ROS and free radical generation, and modulation of microbial signal transduction pathways have been recognized as the most prominent modes of antimicrobial action. On the other side, AgNPs exposure to human cells induces cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and inflammatory response in human cells in a cell-type dependent manner. This has raised concerns regarding use of AgNPs in therapeutics and drug delivery. We have summarized the emerging endeavors that address current challenges in relation to safe use of AgNPs in therapeutics and drug delivery platforms. Based on research done so far, we believe that AgNPs can be engineered so as to increase their efficacy, stability, specificity, biosafety and biocompatibility. In this regard, three perspectives research directions have been suggested that include 1) synthesizing AgNPs with controlled physico-chemical properties, 2) examining microbial development of resistance towards AgNPs, and 3) ascertaining the susceptibility of cytoxicity, genotoxicity, and inflammatory response to human cells upon AgNPs exposure.

1,112 citations