Enhancement in the active food packaging system through metal-based nanomaterials: a review of innovations, challenges, and future directions

Abstract

Nanotechnology has come up as an advanced domain in the food packaging field that has proved to be an effective solution for increasing shelf life and ensuring food products’ safety. Integration of metal-based nanoparticles with different packaging materials enhances the physical, chemical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics resulting in the robust and effective packaging barrier for the preservation of food products. This review delves into the potential of numerous metal-based nanomaterials for active packaging production. The ability of these nanomaterials to enhance various mechanical, thermal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant characteristics, and provide gas, moisture, and light barriers has been discussed. The overview of important characteristics and synthesis methods for the production of metal-based nanoparticles is also emphasized. Alongside the current industrial scenario and challenges of the nanotechnology field in the food sector. Metal-based nanoparticles played a significant role in enhancing the tensile strength, young modulus, glass transition temperature, melting temperature, antimicrobial activity, and barrier properties (light, gas, and moisture) of packaging materials. However, to achieve widespread commercialization, more comprehensive regulations and robust scientific literature on migration and toxicity of nanoparticles, sustainability, scale-up strategies, and process optimization of production methods are essential. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)