Bio-Aerogels as Materials for Active Food Packaging: Emerging Trends in Food Preservation

Active food packaging is an innovative strategy to improve preservation and extend the shelf life of food products. In this context, aerogels, extremely lightweight and porous materials, have gained popularity for packaging development due to their ability to integrate active properties into their structure that enhance moisture control, controlled drug release, and barrier properties. This review explores emerging trends in the use of aerogels for active food packaging, focusing on the physical and functional properties of aerogels, their current applications in the food industry, and the challenges associated with their large-scale adoption. In addition, aerogels are compared to conventional packaging materials, highlighting their advantages in terms of sustainability and performance. Despite the numerous benefits and great potential of aerogels in the food industry, concerns related to cost, mechanical strength, and food safety persist. Recent developments in the production of aerogels and prospects for their use as an innovative material in packaging are addressed.