Review Reports - Nanotechnology in Packaging for Food Industry: Past, Present, and Future

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

In this manuscript, a complete revision about the utilization of different nanomaterials in the design of novel packaging, especially in bio-based materials, is reported. Particularly, considerations and regulations regarding nanotechnology are also addressed. In general terms, I think that the main points of the subject were described, however there is a lack of information about important particular investigations of the most studied nanomaterials. Perhaps, a more detailed description can be performed about which nanomaterials showed the best results in this field of study. I think that more representative examples can be described in order to give to the readers a clear idea about the enhancements and advantages can be achieved using this strategy. In addition, some suggestions and observations are described below:

Title: I think that a more appropriate title could be Nanotechnology in packaging for food industry: past, present and future

Line 102: In my opinion, intelligent packaging not only fulfills the function of detecting the freshness of food, but also provides general information of the food product to the consumer. For example, you can find smart packaging that provides information on the temperature of the product, among other useful information for the consumer.

Figure 1: There are many other examples of active packaging in addition to antioxidants and antimicrobials, such as packaging that sequesters undesirable substances, gas absorbers, packaging that supplies flavorings, etc. This is partially amended in figure 2.

Figure 4: I think that figure 4 does not provide much information

Section 6: This section describes general information on the use of nanomaterials for food packaging. I believe that an important contribution could be to add studies that describe the most important results regarding the optimization of the properties of biobased materials using the most studied nanomaterials to date. I am referring to incorporating real data regarding the improvement of mechanical, barrier, thermal properties, etc. of materials studied.

Perhaps specific examples of the use of nanomaterials that provide active properties to packaging could also be incorporated for the development of antimicrobial, antioxidant, sequestering or substance-supplying packaging, etc. Perhaps a table could be made as a summary.

Section 7: I appreciate the importance of this section since the use of nanotechnology in packaging materials is a very novel strategy and the risk to health and the environment is something that is currently under study. The importance of a specific regulatory framework for this strategy is extremely important. I understand the novelty of this subject and that the different countries are currently updating their regulations and creating lists of safe products, however, I would like to find in this section more precise data on what materials, quantities, degrees of diffusion are currently allowed according to current legislation in the world.

Perhaps the most important results of applied research that study the toxicity effects of the nanomaterials most commonly used for this purpose in living organisms could also be described.

Author Response

Ouro Branco, MG, Brazil – 7/14/23

To:

Dr. Theeranon Tankam – Coatings’ Editor

Dear Dr. Tankam,

Thank you again for your attention and for considering our manuscript.

We are sincerely thankful to both reviewers, which devoted their time and expertise in providing helpful remarks to the present manuscript. Thanks to their suggestions and questions, this new version is clearer and presents improved readability.

Below, we present our responses to their commentaries and suggestions. The parts of manuscript that underwent the proposed modifications are marked in yellow.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Igor José Boggione Santos (igorboggione@ufsj.edu.br)

Departamento de Química, Biotecnologia e Engenharia de Bioprocessos (DQBIO)

Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei (UFSJ)

Campus Alto Paraopeba S/N, 36420-000, Ouro Branco, MG, Brazil.

Phone: +55 31 99308 0227

Reviewer #1:

Title: I think that a more appropriate title could be Nanotechnology in packaging for food industry: past, present and future

Thank you. This modification was done.

Before: Nanotechnology packaging in the food industry: past, present, and future

Now: Nanotechnology in packaging for food industry: past, present and future

Line 102: In my opinion, intelligent packaging not only fulfills the function of detecting the freshness of food, but also provides general information of the food product to the consumer. For example, you can find smart packaging that provides information on the temperature of the product, among other useful information for the consumer.

Thank you. This modification was done.

Before: Intelligent indicators have also been developed using natural pigments such as anthocyanins, alizarin, and betalain to replace synthetic chemical dyes. These advances seek to ensure food quality and provide a safe consumer experience.

Now: Intelligent packaging systems have gained significant traction within the food industry due to their ability to detect environmental changes, track product history, showcase the quality, functions, and properties of packaged foods, and effectively communicate these variations to individuals. For instance, they enable real-time monitoring of freshness, thus fulfilling the increasing demand for safe food . Intelligent indicators have also been developed using natural pigments such as anthocyanins, alizarin, and betalain to replace synthetic chemical dyes. These advances seek to ensure food quality and provide a safe consumer experience.

Figure 4: I think that figure 4 does not provide much information.

Thank you. This modification was done. The figure was deleted.

Section 6: This section describes general information on the use of nanomaterials for food packaging. I believe that an important contribution could be to add studies that describe the most important results regarding the optimization of the properties of biobased materials using the most studied nanomaterials to date. I am referring to incorporating real data regarding the improvement of mechanical, barrier, thermal properties, etc. of materials studied.

Thank you. This modification was done.

Section 7: I appreciate the importance of this section since the use of nanotechnology in packaging materials is a very novel strategy and the risk to health and the environment is something that is currently under study. The importance of a specific regulatory framework for this strategy is extremely important. I understand the novelty of this subject and that the different countries are currently updating their regulations and creating lists of safe products, however, I would like to find in this section more precise data on what materials, quantities, degrees of diffusion are currently allowed according to current legislation in the world.

Thank you. This modification was done.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

This manuscript aims to provide an overview of the applications of nanotechnology in food packaging and highlight its key advantages. Safety considerations and regulations regarding nanotechnology packaging are also addressed, including an evaluation of potential risks to human health and the environment. Developing nanotechnology-based packaging can significantly improve food preservation by creating packaging that is safer, more sustainable, and of higher quality. This, in turn, leads to advancements in the food industry. Nanotechnology has the potential to enhance the efficiency and functionality of packaging, providing substantial benefits for both manufacturers and consumers. It can be accepted after a minor with minor revisions. In the Outlook section, some personal reflections on the shortcomings of nanotechnology development or evaluate potential future directions for development should be discussed.

The manuscript can be published after undergoing appropriate grammar and spelling checks

Author Response

Ouro Branco, MG, Brazil – 7/14/23

To:

Dr. Theeranon Tankam – Coatings’ Editor

Dear Dr. Tankam,

Thank you again for your attention and for considering our manuscript.

Below, we present our responses to their commentaries and suggestions. The parts of manuscript that underwent the proposed modifications are marked in yellow.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Igor José Boggione Santos (igorboggione@ufsj.edu.br)

Departamento de Química, Biotecnologia e Engenharia de Bioprocessos (DQBIO)

Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei (UFSJ)

Campus Alto Paraopeba S/N, 36420-000, Ouro Branco, MG, Brazil.

Phone: +55 31 99308 0227

The manuscript can be published after undergoing appropriate grammar and spelling checks.

The reviewer is right. The manuscript was reviewed by a native English speaker.

Reviewer 3 Report

The manuscript of “Nanotechnology packaging in the food industry: past, present, and future” is interesting to read and appreciated for good attempt. Authors explained about several things such as application in food packaging from the past to the present, with recent research and advances in the field; on understanding the different approaches and technologies used in incorporating nanomaterials in packaging. I decided minor revision and also correct the following suggestion before accept the manuscript.

1. The abstract should be written corrected with obtained results

2. Keywords should follow relate to the manuscript (maximum five keywords)

3. Hypothesis of introduction part is limited. Need current explanation.

4. In table slot of general issues are discussed

5. Line 245 table 1 should be 4

6. Many references are old like ten years ago, try t to add new references.

7. There are some typo and grammatical error present in the manuscript

8. Enhance the quality of images and update the recent references

9. Also, follow the microorganism’s format

Moderate editing of English language required

Author Response

Ouro Branco, MG, Brazil – 7/14/23

To:

Dr. Theeranon Tankam – Coatings’ Editor

Dear Dr. Tankam,

Thank you again for your attention and for considering our manuscript.

Below, we present our responses to their commentaries and suggestions. The parts of manuscript that underwent the proposed modifications are marked in yellow.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Igor José Boggione Santos (igorboggione@ufsj.edu.br)

Departamento de Química, Biotecnologia e Engenharia de Bioprocessos (DQBIO)

Universidade Federal de São João del-Rei (UFSJ)

Campus Alto Paraopeba S/N, 36420-000, Ouro Branco, MG, Brazil.

Phone: +55 31 99308 0227

The abstract should be written corrected with obtained results.

Thank you. This modification was done.

Keywords should follow relate to the manuscript.

Thank you. This modification was done.

Before: Contamination, food preservation, food safety, shelf life, spoilage, sustainability, nanocomposites.

Now: food preservation, food safety, shelf life, Packaging, nanocomposites.

Hypothesis of introduction part is limited. Need current explanation.

Thank you. This modification was done.

In table slot of general issues are discussed.

Thank you. This modification was done in the text.

Line 245 table 1 should be 4.

Thank you. This modification was done.

Before: table 1

Now: table 4

Many references are old like ten years ago, try t to add new references.

Thank you. This modification was done.

There are some typo and grammatical error present in the manuscript.

Thank you. This modification was done.

Enhance the quality of images and update the recent references.

Thank you. This modification was done.

Reviewer 4 Report

This review paper provides an overview of traditional food packaging systems and also aims to give an insight into the applications of nanotechnology in food packaging. Well-designed figures have appropriately improved the quality of the manuscript, but the addition of more references would complete the tables. The subject has been considered by many researchers and the novelty of this review has not been highlighted.

Some more comments on the manuscript could be found below:

About 50% of the manuscript has been allocated to the traditional systems in food packaging and the section dedicated to nanotechnology is limited.

Table 3- The number of references reported in the table should be increased. It is highly recommended to add the "type of nanostructure" to the columns as well, e.g. nanofiber or nanogel.

Line 222- added as filler

Line 231-232- Please re-write the sentence (As a result, gas molecules …….. reduced movement)

Line 245- The number of the table is not correct. It is better to replace the current information in the table with the one collected from different references.

Line 308- It would be more interesting to have the migration subject as a separate title.

Regarding a large number of similar review papers and as the novelty of this manuscript has not been so highlighted, I would not recommend its publication in the highly prestigious journal of Coatings.

The quality of writing the article in English is appropriate and acceptable.

Author Response

Some more comments on the manuscript could be found below:

About 50% of the manuscript has been allocated to the traditional systems in food packaging and the section dedicated to nanotechnology is limited.

Thank you. Added more content in the section dedicated to nanotechnology

Table 3- The number of references reported in the table should be increased. It is highly recommended to add the "type of nanostructure" to the columns as well, e.g. nanofiber or nanogel.

Thank you. This modification was done. The table has been updated by adding the 'suggested' column and adding more studies to it."

Line 222- added as filler

Thank you. This modification was done.

Line 231-232- Please re-write the sentence (As a result, gas molecules …….. reduced movement)

Thank you. This modification was done.

Before: As a result, gas molecules that migrate through these interfacial areas experience reduced movement.

Now: Consequently, gas molecules migrating through these interfacial regions have their movement impeded, which leads to a reduction in their mobility.

Line 245- The number of the table is not correct. It is better to replace the current information in the table with the one collected from different references.

Thank you. This modification was done.

Line 308- It would be more interesting to have the migration subject as a separate title.

Thank you. This modification was done. A topic has been added to address the requested topic

We very much regret the reviewer's important opinion on the review manuscript. However, we reinforce that we have modified the manuscript, added updated references and a more up-to-date discussion on the topic.

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

I I express my gratitude to the authors for implementing the changes suggested. I believe that the quality of the manuscript has been significantly improved in this new version. I am pleased to observe that my recommendations have been incorporated, and I am of the opinion that the manuscript is now ready for acceptance.

Author Response

I express my gratitude to the authors for implementing the changes suggested. I believe that the quality of the manuscript has been significantly improved in this new version. I am pleased to observe that my recommendations have been incorporated, and I am of the opinion that the manuscript is now ready for acceptance.

Dear
Thank you for accepting the manuscript and for your kind cooperation in improving it.