Use of metal-organic frameworks to extend food shelf life

Title : Use of metal-organic frameworks to extend food shelf life

Abstract:

Although considerable efforts have been made to mitigate food waste, nearly one-third of food production is still lost along the supply chain. In this regard, packaging plays a key role, not only by limiting product deterioration, but also by protecting food during manufacturing, distribution and storage, ultimately helping to extend its shelf life. In this context, the development of smart and active packaging technologies has generated growing interest, as these systems can reduce contamination risks (particularly those related to water or soil sources), regulate the environment inside packaged food, and maintain product quality through the incorporation of functional active agents.

Here, we propose the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a type of porous coordination polymers formed by metal cations or clusters linked by organic polycomplexant ligands, as non-innocent carriers for the controlled release of biomolecules to increase food shelf life. Thus, we selected the highly robust and porous Zn bipyrazolate MOF, ZnBDP [ZnC₁₂H₈N₄], based on the H₂BDP linker (C₁₂H₁₀N₄) (specific surface area, S_BET, ≈ 2000 m²/g; square channels of 1.1 nm) due to the well-known antifungal and antibacterial properties of the constitutive cation, the Zn²⁺.² Additionally, the natural essential oil eugenol, again with remarkable antifungal and antimicrobial activities,³ was successfully encapsulated within the MOF porosity using a vapour phase methodology, reaching important active cargoes of 20 wt.%. Eugenol was slowly and progressively released in water (100% in 3.5 months), maintaining MOF’s crystallinity and with just a 2% of linker leaching. Also, in vitro tests demonstrated both biosafety and antifungal and antibacterial activity against various strains. Finally, tests on fruit preservation showed a delay in the decomposition process, evidencing its potential for the conservation of foodstuffs.

Biography:

Miriam Aban is a PhD student at IMDEA Energy Institute since 2023, where she conducts her doctoral research under a competitive regional fellowship. She holds a BSc in Experimental Sciences (2021) and a MSc in Chemistry for Sustainability and Energy (2022). Her work focuses on the synthesis and characterisation of MOFs and MOF composites as efficient and innovative solutions for food preservation and/or more sustainable agrochemicals applications. She has experience in encapsulation, controlled release and analytical detection of active compounds, as well as in evaluating antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.