Advances in controlled release devices for food packaging applications

In recent years, the interest in food packaging with antimicrobial properties increased considerably, due to the fact that these systems are able to control the microbiological decay of perishable food products. Extensive research has been made to develop packaging strategies to retain the active agent in the polymeric network and control its release. Mathematical modeling plays an important role in facilitating polymeric network design by identifying key parameters and molecule release mechanisms. Therefore, in the current review the fundamental mechanisms involved in release phenomena as well as mathematical approaches aimed to describe controlled release systems are widespread discussed along with recent advances in delivery devices development.