Nanotechnology-Based Active Packaging as a Novel Approach to Control Antimicrobial Resistance in Foodborne Pathogens

Background: Nanotechnology is widely applied in diverse fields such as agriculture, biochemistry, and medicine, and it remains a rapidly advancing discipline that introduces more complex applications in food systems compared to traditional technologies. The rapid advancement of nanotechnology has brought significant changes to multiple aspects of food science, including processing, packaging, storage, transportation, functionality, and safety. Methods: This review article was performed through PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar until October ۲۰۲۴. The keywords were Nanotechnology, Packaging, Safety Assessment. Among the ۳۰ articles found in this regard, ۱۴ related articles were used at the end. Results: Food packaging represents one of the most dynamic areas, where various nanostructured materials, ranging from inorganic metals, metal oxides, and their composites to bioactive agents incorporated into organic nanoparticles, have been employed. These materials can confer bioactivity to packaging, especially antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, either by the nature of the polymeric blend or by the addition of ternary components from natural agents such as essential oils or other extracts, as well as synthetic organic and inorganic agents, including nanoparticles like Ag, Au, Cu, TiO₂, and ZnO, or even probiotic bacterial cells. These components are often synergistically used, each ensuring a specific role or enhancing the activity of the others. Antimicrobial activity can result from applied coatings or the bulk material itself, increasing food stability and shelf life. Conclusion: Smart packaging systems can act as sensors—often pH-sensitive or based on mechanisms like the aggregation of AuNPs leading to color changes or aldehyde-specific reactions—allowing real-time freshness monitoring of perishable foods such as seafood or fish. Despite substantial advantages, there are growing concerns regarding the accumulation of nanostructured materials in the human body and environment, emphasizing the need to consider health and safety issues and adhere to regulatory policies in nano-enhanced food production and consumption.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nanotechnology ، Antimicrobial Activity ، Antioxidant Packaging ، Smart Packaging ، Safety Assessment