ABSTRACT
During the last two decades, research activity dedicated to the development of polymer clay nanocomposites (PCNs) for food applications has grown exponentially. These PCNs, which incorporate nanoclays into polymeric systems, have been widely used in horticultural produces packaging owing to their ability to improve polymer’s functional properties, such as mechanical, barrier, and thermal, which ensures the quality and extend the shelf life of various food products. In addition, recent studies also describe the potential use of nanoclays in active food packaging as carriers of active compounds or as scavengers of undesirable substances. However, the safety concerns about nanomaterials still make them controversial. This chapter provides a contemporary summary of cutting-edge developments in the field of nanoclay packaging technology effectively applied to horticultural produce, with a special focus on material property modulation.
