Migration and Safety Issues in Food Packaging Bionanocomposites
摘要
Biopolymers have great potential for use in the production of food packaging. They are renewable, biodegradable, widely available, non-toxic, and inexpensive, but possess poor mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties which limit their application on a large scale. Therefore, bionanocomposites aim to improve functional characteristics by incorporating small amounts of nanofillers into the bio-based matrix. In addition, these composites can be tailored to enable active and intelligent packaging which can help prolong the shelf life of food and ensure traceability throughout the supply chain. Depending on their size and morphology, commonly used nanofillers are divided into three groups: one-dimensional 1D nanomaterials (nanofibers, nanotubes, and nanocrystals), two-dimensional 2D nanomaterials (layered nanomaterials) and three-dimensional 3D nanomaterials (nanoparticles). Although these substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS), there is a potential risk that they could migrate from the packaging material into the food and have a negative impact on consumer health. Therefore, this chapter discusses the nature and properties of the main nanofillers used to manufacture bionanocomposites, migration issues, and factors affecting their potential release from bionanocomposites. In addition, an overview of the regulations and viewpoints of food safety authorities and scientific perspectives on the migration of nanoparticles into food is provided.