Leveraging Synergistic Effects of Metallic Nanoparticles and Essential Oils in Biopolymers: Emerging Nanocomposites for Food Packaging Applications – A Review

Food packaging is vital for protecting food from contamination and extending shelf life. The reliance on synthetic plastics raises significant environmental concerns as much of this waste ends up in landfills and ecosystems. Biopolymers, derived from renewable plant and animal sources are promising alternatives owing to their biodegradability and sustainability. However, they have limitations such as inferior mechanical properties and barrier performance. Integrating metallic nanoparticles can enhance these properties, but their potential toxicity at high levels necessitates careful management. Concurrently, the active properties of essential oils in biopolymers have been explored, although challenges, such as aroma instability and uncontrolled migration, complicate their use. Combining essential oils with metallic nanoparticles in biopolymers creates a new class of nanocomposites, offering dual benefits: reduced nanoparticle loading and sustainable delivery of essential oils while enhancing the aroma profiles. This review synthesizes the current research on these innovations, elucidates the interaction mechanisms between nanoparticles and essential oils, and assesses the functional performance of these emerging nanocomposites. Ultimately, it emphasizes the need for further investigation into their practical applications and the development of guidelines for safe commercialization in the food packaging industry.