Recent Progress on Silver-Based Antibacterial Food Packaging

Contamination by foodborne pathogens has become a serious threat to human health and has caused significant economic losses. As a protective barrier, food packaging can protect food from bacteria, ultraviolet rays, and other external factors. Among these, antibacterial silver food packaging shows great potential for extending food shelf life and controlling foodborne pathogen contamination due to its excellent antibacterial and barrier properties. This paper offers a comprehensive review of recent progress in the application of antibacterial silver nanomaterials in food packaging. In addition to an overview of the various synthesis methods for antibacterial silver nanomaterials, the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and the synthesis of Ag-based nanomaterials are highlighted. Furthermore, two main antimicrobial mechanisms of AgNPs and the effects of AgNPs on the properties of packaging are also discussed in detail. Subsequently, we also explore the application of various types of antibacterial silver food packaging for vegetable, fruit, and meat preservation, with a focus on highlighting the potential of smart food packaging for food safety applications. Finally, the future prospects and development of silver-based nanomaterials for antibacterial food packaging are discussed, and the challenges that need to be addressed in the application of silver-based nanomaterials to ensure safety and reliability are outlined. Overall, antibacterial silver food packaging is emerging as a new and effective means of preserving food.