Engineering active Packaging with MOFs: functional nanomaterials against resistant foodborne pathogens

Paula Andrea Méndez Morales; Laura María Reyes Méndez; Leidy Johanna  Gómez Sampedro; Eduart Andrés  Gutiérrez Pineda

doi:10.22490/25394088.12021

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2026)

Published 2026-09-23

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Review article

Engineering active Packaging with MOFs: functional nanomaterials against resistant foodborne pathogens

DOI: https://doi.org/10.22490/25394088.12021

PhD Paula A. Méndez Grupo - Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario – LIDA, Escuela de Ciencias Básicas, Tecnología e Ingeniería – ECBTI, Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia – UNAD, Calle 14 Sur 14-23, Bogotá D.C., Colombia

PhD Laura M. Reyes Grupo - Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario – LIDA, Escuela de Ciencias Básicas, Tecnología e Ingeniería – ECBTI, Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia – UNAD, Calle 14 Sur 14-23, Bogotá D.C., Colombia

PhD Leidy J. Gómez Grupo - Laboratorio de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario – LIDA, Escuela de Ciencias Básicas, Tecnología e Ingeniería – ECBTI, Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia – UNAD, Calle 14 Sur 14-23, Bogotá D.C., Colombia

PhD Eduart A. Gutiérrez Grupo de Investigación GIA, Escuela de Ciencias Básicas, Tecnología e Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia, Calle 14 Sur 14-23, Bogotá D.C., Colombia. Soft Matter Nanotechnology Group, Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramon 194, 20014 Donostia – San Sebastian, Spain

Pre-print (Spanish)

Abstract
References

The present work consolidates a review of the state of the art on the potential of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as functional nanomaterials incorporated into active packaging systems for the inactivation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens associated with food. Methodologically, a systematic review of recent scientific literature was conducted, using a descriptive and retrospective approach based on theoretical methods such as analytical-synthetic, historical-logical, inductive-deductive, and systemic-structural, as well as a co-occurrence analysis of keywords using VOSviewer, delimited to the period 2016-2026. The bibliometric analysis allowed for the examination of synthesis routes (solvothermal, sonochemical, and green cyclodextrin-MOFs) and incorporation techniques into polymeric matrices (solvent casting); highlighting that nanostructures with high porosity and surface area can encapsulate bioactive agents such as carvacrol or thymol, achieving a controlled release sensitive to pH or humidity stimuli; which enables them to exert bactericidal action through the gradual release of metal ions and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). It is concluded that MOFs, especially those based on cyclodextrins (CD-MOFs), represent revolutionary platforms for food safety. However, there are still limitations such as aqueous instability and scalability.

keywords: bacteria, biofilm, packaging, inactivation, organometallic, nanotechnology, pathogens

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How to Cite

Méndez Morales, P. A., Reyes Méndez, L. M., Gómez Sampedro , L. J. ., & Gutiérrez Pineda, E. A. . (2026). Engineering active Packaging with MOFs: functional nanomaterials against resistant foodborne pathogens. Publicaciones E Investigación, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.22490/25394088.12021

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