Silver Nanoparticles in Food Bio Packaging. A Short Review

Abstract

Abstract For human survival, the agri-food sector is fundamental, starting from the cultivation of the land to the production of food that ends up on our tables. Unfortunately, over time, this sector has faced numerous challenges, such as the appearance of pests, environmental pollution, short shelf life and, last but not least, inadequate packaging materials. All these challenges have led researchers from all over the world to find new alternatives to guarantee food safety. The application of nanomaterials, i.e. nanoparticles, could be the solution sought by all scientists. In recent years, nanotechnology has made remarkable progress, especially regarding the application of metallic nanoparticles and their synthesis methods. In particular, silver nanoparticles have attracted attention, due to their special antimicrobial, electrical and optical properties, but also to the fact that they can be combined with nondegradable, biodegradable and edible polymers. However, there are many concerns regarding the toxicity of these nanoparticles. This article aims to present some recent findings regarding the application of silver nanoparticles in food bio packaging.