Biodegradable biopolymers with controlled release of antimicrobial agents

Abstract

In recent years, biodegradable biopolymer materials have been increasingly used, especially for active technology for fruits and vegetables, and for controlled release of drugs and biopesticides. Due to the growing interest to produce fresh and healthy food with an extended shelf life, environmentally safe antimicrobial active systems based on biopolymers are being developed. The use of biodegrad-able biopolymers for the controlled release of antimicrobial components is still quite limited on the market due to the lack of legal regulations. Once this problem is overcome, the use of this type of antimicrobial protection to reduce the use of environmentally harmful materials will become more accessible to consumers to prevent the transmission of pathogens.