ItemBook Chapter

Advances in Food Packaging with Nanotechnology-Enhanced Biomaterials

Title
Advances in Food Packaging with Nanotechnology-Enhanced Biomaterials
Creator
Chetry, Garima; Nayak, Swathi Deepak; Alsubaie, Bader; Al-Khayri, Jameel M.; Lakshmaiah, Vasantha Veerappa; Nagella, Praveen
Description
The growing concern about food safety and the need for environmental sustainability has triggered the shift from traditional plastic packaging to eco-friendly packaging materials derived from biological resources, enhanced with nanotechnology. Different challenges, such as low mechanical strength, thermal instability, barrier properties and microbial susceptibility, are being observed in traditional packaging. In this chapter, we discuss nanomaterials that are integrated with biopolymers for food packaging to address these issues and increase their physicochemical properties, functionalities, as well as practical applications. Biopolymers such as polylactic acid (PLA), chitosan, gelatin, cellulose and starch-based films, are increasingly being used and further reinforced with organic nanoparticles (nanocellulose, nano starch, carbon dots, and protein nanoparticles) and inorganic nanoparticles (silver, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide etc.) are addressed in the chapter. This chapter classifies and analyses nanomaterials according to their origin and function, demonstrating the enhancement of barrier properties, antimicrobial activity, UV shielding, and thermal resistance in nano-biocomposites. Special attention is paid to their application in smart packaging systems, including active systems that release antimicrobials or antioxidants and intelligent systems containing nano sensors that check for freshness and contamination. Examples of enhanced shelf life and quality preservation are discussed in fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat and bakery goods. The chapter also examines important safety, nanoparticle migration, toxicity regulatory issues, and the environmental impact, highlighting the emerging need for globally unified rules. To sum up, the worlds targets for sustainable food systems, reducing waste, consumer health protection and safeguarding public health are enabled by nano-biomaterials, making it the most suitable innovative solution to the challenges of packaging. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2026.
Source
Environmental Footprints and Eco-Design of Products and Processes;Volume;Part F1238;pp.507-536
Date
01-01-2026
Publisher
Springer
Subject
Active packaging; Biopolymers; Nano sensors; Nanoparticles; Smart packaging
Coverage
Chetry G., Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Christ University, Bengaluru, India; Nayak S.D., Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Christ University, Bengaluru, India; Alsubaie B., Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; Al-Khayri J.M., Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; Lakshmaiah V.V., Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Christ University, Bengaluru, India; Nagella P., Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Christ University, Bengaluru, India
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISSN: 23457651;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Book chapter

Citation

Chetry, Garima; Nayak, Swathi Deepak; Alsubaie, Bader; Al-Khayri, Jameel M.; Lakshmaiah, Vasantha Veerappa; Nagella, Praveen, “Advances in Food Packaging with Nanotechnology-Enhanced Biomaterials,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/24084.

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