Metal oxide nanoparticles
Metal oxide nanoparticles for active, intelligent and safe food packaging

Metal oxide NPs have attracted significant interest from the food industry due to their intrinsic antibacterial activity. Figure 2 illustrates some of the antibacterial mechanisms of metal oxide NPs. One of the most important mechanisms associated with their antimicrobial action is oxidative stress, i.e. the ability of NPs to release reactive oxygen species (ROS). Four main types of ROS are produced: the superoxide radical, the hydroxide radical, hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen. Increased production of one or more ROS leads to alteration of biomolecules and bacterial membrane integrity, enzyme inhibition and nucleic...