Food Packaging Based on Nanomaterials

Abstract

The use of nanotechnologies in the food-packaging area has opened up a number of possibilities derived from the inherent characteristics of nanoadditives, which can either improve relevant properties of neat polymers (such as barrier or mechanical properties) or introduce new functionalities (for active and bioactive packaging applications or even for sensing). This is an exciting and rapidly growing field of study, and very interesting developments are unfolding. Although the aim of these novel materials is to improve packaged food quality and safety, the toxicological effects derived from their potential migration from the polymer structures is also under consideration. This Special Issue compiles a review and five original papers describing novel nanocomposites with improved packaging properties, the use of nanotechnologies for smart packaging applications, and nanoparticle migration studies from novel nanocomposites.