Electrospun Zein Nanofibers for Food‐Contact Applications: Bioactive Delivery, Active, and Intelligent Systems

ABSTRACT There is growing interest in the development of the next generation of active packaging systems. Active antimicrobial packaging has been plagued by the issues of burst release, long‐term effectiveness, and adaptability to the dynamic environment of food production. Therefore, there is a pressing need for new advanced active packaging systems. Recently, the development of electrospun protein‐based nano‐fibers has provided an attractive alternative. Among these protein‐based nano‐fiber materials, zein has attracted the most interest. In this review, the recent advances on electrospun zein nanofibers for food contact applications are discussed; however, key remaining challenges and the need for new sustainable processing routes are also highlighted. Notably, it is highlighted that the zein nanofibers have shown potential to improve the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of food systems and be applied to create an edible coating on vegetables. As well, the recent trends on stimuli‐responsive and intelligent properties are further discussed for food‐controlled preservation and freshness tracking.