ABSTRACT
Environmental factors, chemical reactions, and microbial contamination, are the main causes of food deterioration that moves toward loss of quality, generation of toxic substances, and growth of food-borne microbes that can lead to serious illnesses. Thus, the growing demand for high-quality foods and safe foods as well as mounting environmental concerns have all laid critical challenges on the food packaging industry. During recent decades, nanotechnology is among the leading fields in the scientific research; it has the capability of transforming the food order of the world. The introduction of nanotechnology in the food packaging industry has introduced new methods in packaging systems that have the capability of sustaining the food safety and quality. Nanoparticle-based food packages provide better barrier and mechanical properties. In addition to these functional characteristics, nanotechnology has been investigated for controlled release of antimicrobials, thereby increasing the shelf life of the commodity enclosed in the package. Thus, the utilization of nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties is being greatly exploited for the development of antimicrobial nanocomposite films. This chapter outlines different substances (i.e., organic or inorganic components) that can be utilized for the development antimicrobial packaging. The antimicrobial efficiency of the material developed will rely on the behavior of nanoparticle and the attributes of the polymer.
