Controlled release of active food packaging by nanocarriers: Design, mechanism, models and applications

The growing consumer demand for organic and safer food products has stimulated the development of innovative packaging materials. Active Packaging (AP) containing natural functional compounds has emerged as a viable solution for extending the shelf life of food products. Despite the bright prospects, achieving controlled release of the compounds remains a formidable challenge. Recently, using diverse nanocarriers to encapsulate active compounds has proven efficient in regulating release kinetics and enhancing the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and barrier functions of AP. This review systematically examines the diverse nanocarrier architectures employed in AP, elucidating fundamental release mechanisms and molecular-level interactions governing active compound delivery. The kinetic mechanism in the controlled release process was also described in stages and mathematical models of release kinetics were compiled. The practical applications of food preservation and the implications for human safety are explored. Finally, barriers and prospects for future practical applications of nanocarriers in AP are outlined with a view to informing related research and promoting further application and development of nanocarrier technology in food packaging.