Evidence mapPaperPMID 42280608Full record

ReviewPolymers2026

Beyond Barriers: Active Packaging Strategies for Sustainable Food Protection.

Elisabetta Maffioli, Marco Ruggeri, Carmela Tommasino, Barbara Vigani, Silvia Rossi, Giuseppina Sandri

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Polymers, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Elisabetta MaffioliDepartment of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Torquato Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.ORCID 0009-0007-4871-2487
Marco RuggeriDepartment of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Torquato Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-4192-5416
Carmela TommasinoDepartment of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Torquato Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Barbara ViganiDepartment of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Torquato Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Silvia RossiDepartment of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Torquato Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9511-3857
Giuseppina SandriDepartment of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Torquato Taramelli 12, 27100 Pavia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-6766-9321

Funding

Ministero dell'università e della ricerca ECS00000036
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Food loss and waste-FLW-represent a critical global challenge, primarily across postharvest handling, storage, and distribution. Shelf life limitations-arising from microbial activity and proliferation, physicochemical degradation, and environmental interactions-are major contributors to these losses. Intrinsic factors such as pH, water activity, nutrient composition, and biological structure interact with extrinsic conditions including temperature, humidity, gaseous atmosphere, and light exposure, ultimately leading to quality deterioration and consumer rejection. A comprehensive insight into these mechanisms is essential to improve preservation strategies and reduce FLW. This review critically examines the determinants of food shelf life and highlights the strategic role of innovative packaging technologies in mitigating degradation pathways. Particular emphasis is placed on active packaging systems, including commonly studied technologies such as oxygen and ethylene scavengers, carbon dioxide emitters and absorbers, moisture regulators, antimicrobial- and antioxidant-releasing materials, and flavor and odor control systems. Their mechanisms of action, material design, performance factors, and practical limitations are discussed. Innovative packaging technologies actively modulate spoilage, extend shelf life, and preserve both sensory and nutritional quality, moving beyond conventional passive barriers. When combined with optimized supply chains and sustainable materials, these systems can strengthen food system stability and advance global sustainability goals.

Indexed as

active packagingFLWfood preservationglobal sustainabilitypackaging nanomaterialsshelf life

Identifiers

PMID42280608
PMCPMC13259097

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.