Antimicrobial nanostructures in food packaging

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.

► The review summarizes the role of nanoantimicrobials on food packaging.
► It outlines the major nanostructured antimicrobial agents for food packaging applications.
► The mechanisms, scopes of action and applications of several nanostructured antimicrobials are reviewed.