Synergistic Integration of Metallic-Polymeric Nanoparticles with Essential Oils for Advanced Postharvest Preservation

Abstract

Abstract The convergence of nanotechnology and natural antimicrobials presents a transformative approach to addressing global postharvest losses, which account for approximately one-third of total food production and represent an annual economic loss exceeding one trillion dollars. This comprehensive review examines the synergistic potential and mechanistic foundations of metallic-polymeric nanoparticle (NP) systems combined with essential oils (EOs) for extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Through systematic analysis of recent studies published between 2020 and 2025, we demonstrate that hybrid NP-EO formulations achieve substantial reduction in fungal pathogens and extend shelf life by over half across diverse produce categories, significantly outperforming conventional preservation methods. Analysis reveals that optimized nanoarchitectures, particularly core–shell structures with metallic NP cores and polymeric-EO shells, deliver pH-responsive release kinetics that maintain bioactive concentrations within the therapeutic window for extended durations. However, regulatory fragmentation across jurisdictions and incomplete toxicological profiles for long-term exposure present substantial barriers to commercial implementation. This paper provides a multidimensional framework addressing formulation strategies, release kinetics, application methodologies, safety assessments, and commercialization pathways, supported by computational models and economic analyses. We identify critical research priorities to transition these technologies from laboratory validation to scalable industrial implementation, while balancing preservation efficacy with safety and economic viability.