Advancing Sustainable Food Packaging: the Role of Green Nanomaterials in Enhancing Barrier Properties

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and high-performance food packaging has led to the exploration of green nanomaterials as viable alternatives to synthetic counterparts. Traditional packaging materials often struggle to provide sufficient protection against oxygen, moisture, and UV light, which accelerates food spoilage and reduces shelf life. This review examines the role of biodegradable and bio-based nanomaterials; such as cellulose nanocrystals; carbon dots, and sulfur quantum dots, in enhancing barrier properties essential for food preservation. A comparative analysis between synthetic and green nanomaterials denotes the urgent need for eco-friendly alternatives, emphasizing their sustainability, biodegradability, and reduced environmental footprint. Main mechanisms contributing to barrier enhancement, including the tortuosity effect, gas and moisture transmission control, and nanoparticle morphology influence, are critically analyzed with recent experimental data. Equally, the impact of nanomaterials on the crystallization behavior of film substrates is discussed to highlight their role in improving structural integrity and overall performance. The review also explores the integration of these nanomaterials into flexible and rigid food packaging systems, with an emphasis on their ability to provide antimicrobial activity and UV protection. Furthermore, while the potential of green nanomaterials is significant, this review addresses primary hurdles such as toxicity concerns, environmental impact, and scalability issues. The role of regulatory frameworks in ensuring food safety and consumer protection is also discussed. Finally, future perspectives on advancing sustainable nanotechnology in food packaging are proposed, identifying leading research directions, including the development of multifunctional nanomaterials that enhance barrier properties while offering active sensing capabilities for real-time food quality monitoring. By bridging the gap between experimental findings and practical applications, this review provides outlook on how green nanomaterials can revolutionize the food packaging industry toward a more sustainable future.