Metal-polyphenol networks for the food industry; fundamentals, mechanisms, applications

Abstract

Metal-polyphenol networks (MPNs) exhibit remarkable potential across a diverse range of fields such as materials science, bioengineering, biomedicine, and environmental control. Recently, MPNs have emerged as a formidable tool in the food sector, owing to their exceptional antimicrobial, antioxidant, stimulus responsiveness, and adhesive properties. In this review, we systematically summarize the recent progress on food applications of MPNs in the form of framework structures, Pickering particles, coating nanoparticles, and films. The formation mechanisms, properties, and influencing factors of each of the systems are described. Additionally, we discuss their food applications such as bioactive delivery, stabilization of emulsions, food packaging films, modification of food components, and food safety testing. Finally, the challenges and future research directions of MPNs in the food industry are proposed.