Functionalized Nanomaterials and Smart Biosensors for Antimicrobial, Bio-Based Packaging and Food Safety

The transition toward circular bioeconomy models in agro-food systems has accelerated the adoption of bioplastics, recycled materials, and bio-based packaging products. Although these sustainable alternatives reduce environmental impact, they introduce complex challenges regarding agro-food-contact safety. The potential migration of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), oligomers, and degradation byproducts into food systems necessitates rigorous analytical screening. Simultaneously, the demand for active packaging that extends shelf life without synthetic chemical preservatives is at an all-time high. The advent of advanced pharmaceutical biotechnology and material science, specifically functional bio-nanomaterials, offers a dual solution: the engineering of active antimicrobial barriers and the development of high-sensitivity biosensors capable of monitoring both chemical migration and pathogenic threats in real time.This Research Topic aims to bridge advanced nanobiotechnology with the practical safety and regulatory requirements of sustainable food packaging. We highlight innovations in functionalized nanomaterials, such as electrospun nanofibers, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and stimulus-responsive biopolymers, that enhance food-contact safety. The goal is to showcase research that not only develops active antimicrobial and antioxidant packaging from recycled or bio-based materials but also integrates smart, diagnostic biosensors. This collection addresses critical gaps in analytical methods, exposure risk assessment, and the decontamination efficiency of sustainable plastics, ensuring that next-generation packaging is both ecologically sound and rigorously safe for human health.We welcome original research, method validation, and comprehensive reviews addressing the following subthemes:Active Bioplastics: Engineering of biocompatible hydrogels, biopolymers, and functionalized nanomaterials for active antimicrobial and antioxidant packaging.Smart Biosensing & Analytical Methods: Application of targeted/non-targeted screening and smart biosensors to detect foodborne pathogens, chemical migration, and NIAS in bio-based or recycled packaging.Food-Contact Safety: Assessing degradation byproducts, additives, and migration behavior of functionalized sustainable packaging under real-world conditions.Circularity and Risk Assessment: Studies evaluating the safety profiles, decontamination efficiency, and cumulative exposure risks associated with recycled materials and active packaging. Topic editors: SANDIP MONDAL, Naga Raju Maddela, Manish Kumar Gautam Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82049/functionalized-nanomaterials-and-smart-biosensors-for-antimicrobial-bio-based-packaging-and-food-safety