Hybrid Food Packaging Films: The Synergistic Role of Polyphenols and Metallic Nanoparticles

Abstract

Food spoilage, which is driven largely by microbial contamination and oxidative degradation, remains a major contributor to global food waste, prompting growing interest in active food packaging materials with built‐in antimicrobial and antioxidant functions. This review examines hybrid films that combine natural polyphenols with metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) as innovative packaging solutions. Polyphenols, extracted from plant sources, exhibit strong free radical scavenging and antimicrobial properties, while MNPs such as silver (Ag), zinc oxide (ZnO), and titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) enhance mechanical strength, thermal stability, and microbial inhibition. When combined, these components frequently produce additive and, in several reported systems, synergistic improvements in antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, thereby extending shelf life and reducing reliance on synthetic additives. Challenges such as compound stability, nanoparticle migration risks, regulatory hurdles, and environmental impact are discussed, along with strategies to optimize release profiles and enhance film performance. By critically examining the mechanisms underlying polyphenol‐MNP interactions alongside the experimental evidence for their combined bioactivity, this review provides a mechanistic framework to guide the rational design of hybrid food packaging films.