Phytochemical-Functionalized Smart Polymer Films: Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Strategies for Next-Generation Active Packaging
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Pathology, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Thandalam, Chennai 602105, India
- 2Department of Microbiology, Dr. N.G.P Arts and Science College, (Affiliated to Bharathiar University), Coimbatore 641048, India
- 3PG & Research Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Holy Cross College (Autonomous), (Affiliated to Bharathidasan University), Tiruchirappalli 620002, India
- 4School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Republic of Korea
- 5Department of Orthopaedics, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai 602105, India
Abstract
The worldwide shift toward sustainable food systems demands packaging solutions that are compatible with the environment, food safety and shelf-life extension. Phytochemical-functionalized smart polymer films have emerged as promising multifunctional active packaging systems with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This review critically examines the molecular mechanisms, fabrication strategies, structure-release-performance relationships, applications, and translational challenges of phytochemical-based smart polymer films. Recent advances in incorporating polyphenols, essential oils, curcuminoids, tocopherols, and related bioactives into polysaccharide-, protein-, and bio-based polyester matrices through direct blending, encapsulation, cyclodextrin inclusion, electrospinning, and hybrid nanoparticle systems are evaluated. Phytochemicals can scavenge reactive oxygen species, chelate pro-oxidant metals, and interrupt radical chain reactions, while smart systems enable controlled or stimuli-responsive release triggered by pH, humidity, temperature, or spoilage volatiles. These designs influence antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, oxygen and water-vapor barrier properties, UV protection, and mechanical performance. Applications across meat, fish, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and high-fat foods demonstrate potential for delaying oxidation, suppressing microbial growth, and maintaining sensory and nutritional quality. This review synthesizes phytochemical–matrix–processing–release–performance relationships into a qualitative, application-oriented design framework, emphasizing measurable parameters, formulation-selection criteria, and validation in the intended food and storage environment.
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BibTeX
@article{nagappan2026phytochemicalfunctionalized,
title = {{Phytochemical-Functionalized Smart Polymer Films: Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Strategies for Next-Generation Active Packaging}},
author = {Arulkumar Nagappan and Mahenthiran Ramasamy and Radha Arulkumar and Arvind Kumar Shukla and Sethuraman Veeran},
journal = {Polymers},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/polym18212764},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/21/2764},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Phytochemical-Functionalized Smart Polymer Films: Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Strategies for Next-Generation Active Packaging
AU - Arulkumar Nagappan
AU - Mahenthiran Ramasamy
AU - Radha Arulkumar
AU - Arvind Kumar Shukla
AU - Sethuraman Veeran
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
JO - Polymers
DO - 10.3390/polym18212764
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/21/2764
AB - The worldwide shift toward sustainable food systems demands packaging solutions that are compatible with the environment, food safety and shelf-life extension. Phytochemical-functionalized smart polymer films have emerged as promising multifunctional active packaging systems with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This review critically examines the molecular mechanisms, fabrication strategies, structure-release-performance relationships, applications, and translational challenges of phytochemical-based smart polymer films. Recent advances in incorporating polyphenols, essential oils, curcuminoids, tocopherols, and related bioactives into polysaccharide-, protein-, and bio-based polyester matrices through direct blending, encapsulation, cyclodextrin inclusion, electrospinning, and hybrid nanoparticle systems are evaluated. Phytochemicals can scavenge reactive oxygen species, chelate pro-oxidant metals, and interrupt radical chain reactions, while smart systems enable controlled or stimuli-responsive release triggered by pH, humidity, temperature, or spoilage volatiles. These designs influence antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, oxygen and water-vapor barrier properties, UV protection, and mechanical performance. Applications across meat, fish, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and high-fat foods demonstrate potential for delaying oxidation, suppressing microbial growth, and maintaining sensory and nutritional quality. This review synthesizes phytochemical–matrix–processing–release–performance relationships into a qualitative, application-oriented design framework, emphasizing measurable parameters, formulation-selection criteria, and validation in the intended food and storage environment.
SN - 2073-4360
ER -