Engineered Nanomaterial Coatings for Food Packaging: Design, Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Sustainability Implications

Abstract

The food industry is one of the most regulated businesses in the world and follows strict internal and regulated requirements to ensure product reliability and safety. In particular, the industry must ensure that biological, chemical, and physical hazards are controlled from the production and distribution of raw materials to the consumption of the finished product. In the United States, the FDA regulates the efficacy and safety of food ingredients and packaging. Traditional packaging materials such as paper, aluminum, plastic, and biodegradable compostable materials have gradually evolved. Coatings made with nanotechnology promise to radically improve the performance of food packaging materials, as their excellent properties improve the appearance, taste, texture, and shelf life of food. This review article highlights the role of nanomaterials in designing and manufacturing anti-fouling and antimicrobial coatings for the food packaging industry. The use of nanotechnology coatings as protective films and sensors to indicate food quality levels is discussed. In addition, their assessment of regulatory and environmental sustainability is developed. This review provides a comprehensive perspective on nanotechnology coatings that can ensure high-quality nutrition at all stages of the food chain, including food packaging systems for humanitarian purposes.

Can bacteria and carbon-based nanomaterials revolutionize nanoremediation strategies for industrial effluents?

“…In addition, it is crucial to ensure that nanoparticles are properly labeled, accounting for all possible risks, following safety regulations, and undergoing thorough assessments of their environmental impact. Efficient management of nanomaterial waste requires careful planning and a strong commitment to ethical and social responsibility (Ayilara and Babalola, 2023;Gulati et al, 2023;Olawore, Ogunmola, and Desai, 2024). Shows a cyclical method for treating industrial wastewater using bacteria and carbon nanomaterials.…”

Ilmenite-Grafted Graphene Oxide as an Antimicrobial Coating for Fruit Peels

“…Nanomaterials have shown progress by improving antimicrobial properties, moisture and gas barrier properties, and mechanical strength while providing biocompatibility and biodegradability for food packaging systems. ,− Functional bionanocomposite films, incorporating components such as starch, cellulose, chitosan, montmorillonite (MMT), metals, and metal oxides, have also found applications in food packaging . Nanomaterials serve as reinforcements to enhance mechanical and thermal characteristics of composites, leading to the development of improved materials.…”

“…Furthermore, nanomaterials facilitate the creation of active ingredients endowed with antibacterial, antioxidant, and other desirable effects. Apart from well-established options, such as silver nanoparticles and nanoclay, nanomaterials utilized in packaging comprise metal oxides, polysaccharides, proteins, halloysite nanotubes, poly­(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), and essential oils. , These nanomaterials offer a range of functions, including antioxidant properties (e.g., essential oils, vitamins, polyphenols, and carotenoids), antibacterial effects (e.g., nanosilver, nanosilica, and nanocarbon tubes), ethylene scavenging (e.g., nano-KMnO 4 ), and oxygen scavenging (e.g., Pd nanoparticles). − Some of the nanocoatings are edible (e.g., hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and chitosan) and offer significant benefits such as robust mechanical properties, high consumer acceptance, and nontoxicity. However, the overall performance and cost of edible films have consistently posed challenges …”

“… 6 , 15 − 17 Functional bionanocomposite films, incorporating components such as starch, cellulose, chitosan, montmorillonite (MMT), metals, and metal oxides, have also found applications in food packaging. 18 Nanomaterials serve as reinforcements to enhance mechanical and thermal characteristics of composites, leading to the development of improved materials. Furthermore, nanomaterials facilitate the creation of active ingredients endowed with antibacterial, antioxidant, and other desirable effects.…”

Nanoimprint Lithography for Next-Generation Carbon Nanotube-Based Devices

“…Several methods have been devised for the synthesis and fabrication of CNT-based devices [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Many products using CNTs today incorporate CNT powders dispersed in polymer matrices or deposited as thin films in order to commercialize these products [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Organized CNT materials such as forests and yarns are beginning to bridge the gap between the nano-scale properties of CNTs and the length scales of bulk engineering materials [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”