Nanofillers for Food Packaging: Antimicrobial Potential of Metal-based Nanoparticles

Background:Recently, numerous studies on the packaging of nanomaterials for foods underline the significant function of nanofillers in the manufacturing of innovative nanocomposites based on polymer or biopolymer matrices. It is evident in the literature that nanofillers exhibit effective characteristics such as antimicrobial potential, barrier, mechanical, and thermal properties. However, the exact mechanisms regulating the occurrence of the antimicrobial activity of nanofillers are only hypothesized, with the literature containing controversies regarding the mechanisms of nanofiller-induced toxicity.Objective:The objective of this review is to highlight several types of nanofillers, especially inorganic nanofillers that can be used along with different polymers or biopolymers to form innovative food packaging materials. The antimicrobial potential of metal-based nanofillers is also discussed in the second part of the review.Results:Even though numerous reports on polymer or biopolymer nanomaterial applications in food packaging are available, the purpose described in those reviews has not been aimed in this article, as a smaller number of reviews have approached food packaging nanomaterials in the way as done in this review article.Conclusion:It is expected that the information contained in this paper will complement previous reports, and open new vistas for explorers to apply nanofillers in the functional food packaging area.