Natural antimicrobial agents have been investigated as alternatives to synthetic ones for ensuring food safety and quality. However, the practical use of these preservatives in the food industry is limited due to their negative impact on the odor and taste of food products, as well as the early loss of functionality due to their rapid diffusion and interaction with food components. The incorporation of natural antimicrobial agents into edible coatings has been investigated to control diffusion of active compounds and maintain their concentrations at a critical level on a food surface. Recently, nanoencapsulating and multilayered/nanolaminate delivery systems have emerged as promising tools to enhance the functionality of edible coatings. This review highlights the potential use of polymeric edible coatings for the incorporation of natural antimicrobial agents and the improvement of their controlled release in food systems. The methods used to assess the antimicrobial activity of encapsulated natural antimicrobial agents and the most recent findings regarding the application of nanoencapsulating and multilayered/nanolaminate delivery systems in food products are also discussed.
Keywords: edible coatings; food quality; food safety; nanodelivery systems; natural antimicrobial agents.
© 2016 Institute of Food Technologists®.