Metal–organic frameworks for active food packaging. A review

Abstract

Food wastage is a major concern for sustainable health and agriculture. To reduce food waste, classical preservation techniques such as drying, pasteurization, freeze-drying, fermentation, and microwave are available. Nonetheless, these techniques display shortcomings such as alteration of food and taste. Such shortcomings may be solved by active food packaging, which involves the incorporation of active agents into the packaging material. Recently, metal–organic frameworks, a class of porous hybrid supramolecular materials, have been developed as an active agent to extend food shelf life and maintain safety. Here, we review metal–organic frameworks in active packaging as oxygen scavengers, antimicrobials, moisture absorbers, and ethylene scavengers. We present methods of incorporation of metal–organic frameworks into packaging materials and their applications.