Antimicrobial food packaging based on sustainable Bio-based materials for reducing foodborne Pathogens: A review

Improvements in the effectiveness of packaging materials can help to prevent foodborne pathogens and reduce environmental waste. Traditionally, food is packaged in plastic that is rarely recyclable, negatively impacting the environment. Biodegradable packaging materials play an important role in maintaining the health of ecosystems. However, there are limitations in the utilization of bio-based materials, including poor barrier and mechanical properties which frequently cause a shorter shelf life compared to conventional food packaging materials. The incorporation of different nanomaterial in bio-based polymers such as (Chitosan, potato starch, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), corn starch and Arabic gum) can improve the various properties packaging materials by enhancing the antimicrobial activity, therefore preventing foodborne pathogens, correspondingly bringing notable enhancement in the bio-based materials properties as food packaging materials. This review deliberates the potential of using bionanocomposite films to solve the issues of both environmental waste and to reduce the spoilage of food products.