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Journal ArticleDOI

Antimicrobial nanostructures in food packaging

01 Mar 2013-Trends in Food Science and Technology (Elsevier)-Vol. 30, Iss: 1, pp 56-69
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors summarize published data regarding mechanisms and scopes of action of nanostructured antimicrobial agents, as well as their proposed applications for food packaging purposes.
Abstract: Active antimicrobial food packaging systems are supposed not only to passively protect food products against environmental factors, but also to inhibit or retard microbial growth on food surfaces, extending food shelf life. Nanostructured antimicrobials have a higher surface area-to-volume ratio when compared with their higher scale counterparts. Therefore, antimicrobial nanocomposite packaging systems are supposed to be particularly efficient in their activities against microbial cells. The objective of this review is to summarize published data regarding mechanisms and scopes of action of nanostructured antimicrobial agents, as well as their proposed applications for food packaging purposes.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review covered ZnO-NPs antibacterial activity including testing methods, impact of UV illumination,ZnO particle properties (size, concentration, morphology, and defects), particle surface modification, and minimum inhibitory concentration.
Abstract: Antibacterial activity of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) has received significant interest worldwide particularly by the implementation of nanotechnology to synthesize particles in the nanometer region. Many microorganisms exist in the range from hundreds of nanometers to tens of micrometers. ZnO-NPs exhibit attractive antibacterial properties due to increased specific surface area as the reduced particle size leading to enhanced particle surface reactivity. ZnO is a bio-safe material that possesses photo-oxidizing and photocatalysis impacts on chemical and biological species. This review covered ZnO-NPs antibacterial activity including testing methods, impact of UV illumination, ZnO particle properties (size, concentration, morphology, and defects), particle surface modification, and minimum inhibitory concentration. Particular emphasize was given to bactericidal and bacteriostatic mechanisms with focus on generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), OH− (hydroxyl radicals), and O2 −2 (peroxide). ROS has been a major factor for several mechanisms including cell wall damage due to ZnO-localized interaction, enhanced membrane permeability, internalization of NPs due to loss of proton motive force and uptake of toxic dissolved zinc ions. These have led to mitochondria weakness, intracellular outflow, and release in gene expression of oxidative stress which caused eventual cell growth inhibition and cell death. In some cases, enhanced antibacterial activity can be attributed to surface defects on ZnO abrasive surface texture. One functional application of the ZnO antibacterial bioactivity was discussed in food packaging industry where ZnO-NPs are used as an antibacterial agent toward foodborne diseases. Proper incorporation of ZnO-NPs into packaging materials can cause interaction with foodborne pathogens, thereby releasing NPs onto food surface where they come in contact with bad bacteria and cause the bacterial death and/or inhibition.

2,627 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, current nanocomposite technologies to enhance the mechanical and barrier properties of synthetic polymers and biopolymers for food packaging are reviewed, including antimicrobial, oxygen scavenging, and shelf-life extension of food.
Abstract: In this article, current nanocomposite technologies to enhance the mechanical and barrier properties of synthetic polymers and biopolymers for food packaging are reviewed. In addition, nanotechnology developments targeting active packaging applications are discussed, including antimicrobial, oxygen scavenging, and shelf-life extension of food. Nanotechnologies that are currently being exploited for the development of intelligent packaging with enhanced communication function are presented, focusing mainly on oxygen, humidity and freshness indicators. Nanostructured coatings that enhance the barrier properties of packaging films are reviewed. And finally, the perspectives of nanotechnology in food packaging applications are discussed.

435 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an analysis of the alternative and traditional methodologies is made, pointing out the significant advantage and limitations of each technique and highlighting some of their challenges and limitations. But, further research is still required, since none of the methods reported can control all the parameters necessary to achieve produce with an extending shelf-life, without compromising its quality.
Abstract: The consumers' demand for fresh fruits and vegetables has increased in recent years. These foods may be consumed raw or minimally processed, and therefore can be a vehicle of several pathogens. The microorganisms most frequently linked to produce-related outbreaks include bacteria ( Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes , Escherichia coli , and Shigella spp.), viruses and parasites. There are many traditional technologies to reduce/eliminate the microorganisms present in food products. However, further research on this topic is still required, since none of the methods reported can control all the parameters necessary to achieve produce with an extending shelf-life, without compromising its quality. In this paper, an analysis of the alternative and traditional methodologies is made, pointing out the significant advantage and limitations of each technique. Industrial relevance The significant increase in the incidence of foodborne outbreaks caused by contaminated minimally processed produce in recent years has become of extreme importance. The extensive knowledge of gentle (non-thermal) processes to enhance safety, preservation and shelf-life of these products is crucial for the food industry. This manuscript presents non-thermal processes that have shown efficient microbial reductions on fresh produce and highlights some of their challenges and limitations.

413 citations


Cites background from "Antimicrobial nanostructures in foo..."

  • ...May reduce impact performance - Optical issues - Scarce information on formulation/structure/ property relationships - Development o ew food-packaging materials with im roved characteristics de Azeredo (2009, 2013) Irradiation -...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review summarizes findings and prospective applications of nanocellulose for bio-based materials to be used in food packaging (including active packaging), including nanofibribils or even nanocrystals.

379 citations


Cites background from "Antimicrobial nanostructures in foo..."

  • ...The most common active packaging systems are those which release active compounds (such as antimicrobial agents) onto food surface (Azeredo, 2013)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a PVA/ CEO/β-cyclodextrin (PVA/CEO/β -CD) antimicrobial nanofibrous film with average diameter 240 ± 40 nm was successfully fabricated under the optimal conditions.

356 citations


Cites background from "Antimicrobial nanostructures in foo..."

  • ...This might be attributed to the entrapment of CEO into the cavity of b-CD which improves the solubility of CEO leading to the efficient release of antimicrobials into the agar medium(de Azeredo, 2013)....

    [...]

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of the academic and industrial aspects of the preparation, characterization, materials properties, crystallization behavior, melt rheology, and processing of polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites is given in this article.

6,343 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Qing Ling Feng1, J. Wu1, Guo-Qiang Chen1, Fuzhai Cui1, T. N. Kim, J. O. Kim 
TL;DR: The existence of elements of silver and sulfur in the electron-dense granules and cytoplasm detected by X-ray microanalysis suggested the antibacterial mechanism of silver: DNA lost its replication ability and the protein became inactivated after Ag(+) treatment.
Abstract: To investigate the mechanism of inhibition of silver ions on microorganisms, two strains of bacteria, namely Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), were treated with AgNO(3) and studied using combined electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis. Similar morphological changes occurred in both E. coli and S. aureus cells after Ag(+) treatment. The cytoplasm membrane detached from the cell wall. A remarkable electron-light region appeared in the center of the cells, which contained condensed deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules. There are many small electron-dense granules either surrounding the cell wall or depositing inside the cells. The existence of elements of silver and sulfur in the electron-dense granules and cytoplasm detected by X-ray microanalysis suggested the antibacterial mechanism of silver: DNA lost its replication ability and the protein became inactivated after Ag(+) treatment. The slighter morphological changes of S. aureus compared with E. coli recommended a defense system of S. aureus against the inhibitory effects of Ag(+) ions.

3,811 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The current review of 129 references describes the biological activity of several chitosan derivatives and the modes of action that have been postulated in the literature.

2,615 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work suggests that AgNP morphological properties known to affect antimicrobial activity are indirect effectors that primarily influence Ag(+) release, and antibacterial activity could be controlled by modulating Ag(+ release, possibly through manipulation of oxygen availability, particle size, shape, and/or type of coating.
Abstract: For nearly a decade, researchers have debated the mechanisms by which AgNPs exert toxicity to bacteria and other organisms. The most elusive question has been whether the AgNPs exert direct “particle-specific” effects beyond the known antimicrobial activity of released silver ions (Ag+). Here, we infer that Ag+ is the definitive molecular toxicant. We rule out direct particle-specific biological effects by showing the lack of toxicity of AgNPs when synthesized and tested under strictly anaerobic conditions that preclude Ag(0) oxidation and Ag+ release. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the toxicity of various AgNPs (PEG- or PVP- coated, of three different sizes each) accurately follows the dose–response pattern of E. coli exposed to Ag+ (added as AgNO3). Surprisingly, E. coli survival was stimulated by relatively low (sublethal) concentration of all tested AgNPs and AgNO3 (at 3–8 μg/L Ag+, or 12–31% of the minimum lethal concentration (MLC)), suggesting a hormetic response that would be counterproductive t...

1,785 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Lifeng Qi1, Zirong Xu1, Xia Jiang1, Hu Caihong1, Xiangfei Zou1 
TL;DR: Results show that chitosan nanoparticles and copper-loaded nanoparticles could inhibit the growth of various bacteria tested and exposed to S. choleraesuis led to the disruption of cell membranes and the leakage of cytoplasm.

1,490 citations