Antimicrobial Applications of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Food Packaging Industry

Foodborne diseases affect the world. Foodborne illnesses and fatalities occur worldwide. Thus, foodborne pathogen control technology development is urgent. Food packaging ensures food safety and quality. Active packaging meets the needs of consumers for safe, fresh-like goods with extended shelf life, excellent cost-to-benefit ratios, and ease. Including antimicrobials in packaging components permits the progressive diffusion of specific bactericidal or bacteriostatic chemicals into a food matrix, eliminating the requirement for elevated preservative concentrations in food formulations. Antimicrobial packaging prevents food contamination during nonthermal methods. This ingenious packaging reduces disease contamination and extends food shelf life. Zinc oxide (ZnO), one of the metal oxides, is one of the most frequently used substances in a variety of industries due to its exceptional antibacterial and photocatalytic qualities. In addition to being excellent semiconductors with outstanding biocompatibility, material stability, and biocidal activities both in vitro and in vivo, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are also reasonably priced. They are antibacterial and effective against microscopic organisms and foodborne diseases. ZnO NPs have been employed in a variety of food-packaging coatings to maintain nutrient colors, stop food from spoiling, and enhance the mechanical quality, impedance qualities, and stability of packaging materials. A greater focus has been given to applying potent antimicrobial substances built into packaging materials as bacteria-controlling agents in food packing.