Nanoparticles and essential oils with antiviral activity on packaging and surfaces: An overview of their selection and application

Abstract

Until recently, food packaging has been used as a barrier to unfavorable environmental and microbial conditions, but new technologies are arising aimed at upgrading the protective nature of these materials. Cases of bacterial and viral transmission through food and surfaces have shown the vulnerabilities of the food packaging distribution systems over the years, creating awareness about new methods to prevent the proliferation of pathogens. This has been highlighted by safety concerns due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. This work reviews the state‐of‐the‐art biobased technologies tailored for antiviral applications on surfaces, focusing on packaging materials. A survey and selection tool of essential oils (EOs) and nanoparticles that have been proven effective in reducing the proliferation or transmission of viruses through surfaces is presented. Additionally, the use of essential oil formulations or nanoparticle‐functionalized biobased materials that can be deployed to prevent virus transmission through food produce and surfaces is reviewed, including environmental and safety concerns around the use of metal nanoparticles and EOs in packaging materials. Finally, an assessment of the available technologies, challenges, opportunities and the potential role of biobased antiviral surfaces in future viral outbreaks is presented.

Probiotics in Wound Healing

“…LAB are Gram-positive, microaerophilic, and non-sporulating microorganisms with health benefits for the host, especially regarding dermal health, by improving the regulation of the skin and mucosa immune system and by maintaining cutaneous homeostasis [ 30 ]. In addition, studies showed that species from the genera Bacillus , Enterococcus , Streptococcus, or yeasts such as Saccharomyces , could be used as probiotics with efficient wound healing properties [ 26 , 31 ].…”

Overview of Food Antimicrobial Packaging

“…In order to prepare antiviral coatings or films, many compounds, which are effective against viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, such as ZnO nanoparticles, Ag nanoparticles, essential oils, and plant extracts, may be used [94][95][96][97][98][99][100]. As an example, Mizielińska et al [94] developed an active coating based on nanoparticles of ZnO, geraniol, and carvacrol.…”

Meta-Analysis and Analytical Methods in Cosmetics Formulation: A Review

“…Therefore, in the design and development of cosmetic products, evaluating stability is crucial to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of the product [114]. Stability studies are conducted to define a product's shelf-life and evaluate necessary adjustments in formula-tions, packaging materials, storage conditions, transportation, etc., to ensure health and meet consumer expectations [114][115][116]. The use of physicochemical formulation in surfactant-oil-water (SOW) systems is crucial to tailoring the stability of emulsions and suspensions [3,118].…”

“…Droplet size can be influenced by factors such as emulsifier concentration. Additionally, process variables like homogenization and pressure can be controlled to tailor the droplet size using high-energy emulsification methods (e.g., homogenizers, microfluidizers, colloidal mills) [116]. Low-energy emulsification methods allow to also attain nanoemulsions with droplet size values lower than 500 nm [3].…”

“…In the initial stages of development, rapid strategies are implemented by subjecting a product to stress and evaluating its response, to either reject or proceed with viable formulations. Among the main stress mechanisms used to evaluate stability are temperature, light, and centrifugation [116]. Following the stress exerted on the sample, a series of characterizations are conducted to evaluate the changes the sample undergoes.…”