Use of Nanofibers in Food Packaging: A Review

Nanofibers represent a transformative innovation in food packaging within the food industry, offering enhanced functionality through their unique structural properties such as high surface-to-volume ratio, porosity, and the ability to encapsulate active compounds. This review comprehensively examines the utilization of nanofibers in food packaging, focusing on their preparation, applications, and future prospects. Electrospinning emerges as the predominant method for nanofiber production, enabling the creation of structures like uniaxial, core-shell, and porous fibers from natural polymers (e.g., chitosan, gelatin, zein) and synthetic ones (e.g., PVA, PCL). These nanofibers facilitate active packaging by incorporating antimicrobial agents (e.g., silver nanoparticles, essential oils), antioxidants (e.g., curcumin, vitamin E), and sensors for intelligent monitoring of food freshness via pH or gas indicators. Recent studies highlight nanofibers' role in extending shelf life; for instance, zein-based nanofibers loaded with thymol inhibit E. coli and S. aureus growth, while core-shell designs allow controlled release, minimizing burst effects and enhancing efficacy. Biodegradable nanofibers align with sustainability goals, reducing plastic waste and supporting circular economies. However, challenges include potential nanoparticle migration into food, raising safety concerns under regulations like those from FDA and EFSA, which mandate GRAS status and risk assessments for nanomaterials. This review covers an introduction to nanofiber principles, historical research background, and eight specialized sections on production methods, mechanical enhancements, antimicrobial uses, antioxidant integration, smart features, safety evaluations, scalability issues, and emerging trends. Each section includes detailed analyses and specialized tables comparing parameters like fiber diameter, encapsulation efficiency, antimicrobial zone inhibition, tensile strength, release kinetics, toxicity profiles, production yields, and environmental impacts.