Unveiling the Potential of Graphene Oxide as a Multifunctional Platform for Active Food Packaging: Properties, Applications, and Prospects

The demand for active food packaging is rapidly increasing as the food industry seeks more effective strategies to extend shelf life, preserve quality, and ensure safety beyond the limits of conventional materials. Traditional packaging often suffers from high gas permeability and limited antioxidant or antimicrobial activity, driving the exploration of nanotechnology-based solutions. Among emerging candidates, graphene oxide (GO) has attracted significant attention due to its distinctive structure of atom-thin sheets decorated with oxygen-containing groups and its exceptionally large surface area. These characteristics enable GO to reinforce polymer matrices, improving mechanical strength, thermal stability, and barrier properties, while also providing multifunctional bioactivity. Experimental evidence shows that GO exhibits antimicrobial effects through microbial membrane disruption, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and nutrient exchange interference, while its antioxidant capacity allows radical scavenging and lipid oxidation inhibition. Applications have been demonstrated across polymer nanocomposites, surface coatings, and smart sensors, where GO not only strengthens packaging materials but also functions as a freshness indicator for perishable foods such as meat, dairy, fruits, and fish. Despite these advantages, unresolved challenges include toxicity concerns, particle migration risks, and the absence of harmonized international regulations. Future research must therefore emphasize comprehensive toxicological assessment, green and scalable synthesis approaches, and integration with biodegradable polymers. Addressing these gaps could establish GO as a safe, sustainable, and innovative platform for next-generation active and intelligent food packaging. © 2026, Walailak University. All rights reserved.