Effect of Packaging Systems on the Inactivation of Microbiological Agents

The potential microbial contamination by spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms is a major concern, because it reduces the shelf life of foods and increases the risk of foodborne diseases. Antimicrobial packaging is playing an important role in the inhibition of targeted bacterial growth on food, while improving food safety and prolonging shelf life, without sacrificing the quality.Traditionally, non-biodegradable synthetic polymers have been employed for antimicrobial food packaging (AFP). However, nowadays, in some countries, there is a great interest in avoiding food wastage and reducing the use of plastics, as well as the reutilization of waste originated during food production. Consequently, commercial applications of antimicrobial packaging are expected to grow in the next few years. This is especially true for applications that employ active compounds derived from natural resources and biodegradable packaging materials as carrier polymers. This chapter provides a broad overview of the antimicrobials and matrixes employed for AFP, their advantages, and disadvantages, as well as their future trends.