ZINC-BASED BIODEGRADABLE FILMS FOR FOOD PACKAGING

Abstract

The escalating global crisis of plastic pollution, combined with increasing consumer demand for sustainable and safe food products, has accelerated interest in biodegradable food packaging materials. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) have emerged as one of the most promising functional additives in this domain, owing to their remarkable antimicrobial activity, ultraviolet (UV) light-blocking capacity, enhanced mechanical and barrier performance, and status as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) substance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This comprehensive review critically examines the current state of research on zinc-based biodegradable films for food packaging applications. It systematically addresses: (1) the environmental imperative driving the shift from conventional petroleum-derived plastics to biopolymer-based systems; (2) the synthesis routes and physicochemical characteristics of ZnO NPs, including green synthesis methods; (3) the key biopolymeric matrices employed including chitosan, starch, polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT), gelatin, and alginate and the functional properties conferred by ZnO incorporation; (4) the molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial action, particularly reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and zinc ion release; (5) documented applications in preserving fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, and dairy products; (6) food safety considerations including nanoparticle migration and regulatory frameworks (EFSA, FDA, EU Regulation No. 10/2011); and (7) prevailing challenges and future research directions. The review synthesizes evidence from over 60 peer-reviewed publications spanning 2016–2025, concluding that zinc-based biodegradable nanocomposite films represent a viable, multifunctional, and commercially scalable solution to address the twin imperatives of food safety and environmental sustainability.

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