Bima Putra Pratama, Aswin Rafif Khairullah, Ilma Fauziah Maruf, Dea Anita Ariani Kurniasih, Andi Thafida Khalisa, Bantari Wisynu Kusuma Wardhani, Imam Mustofa, Sri Mulyati, Dini Dwi Ludfiani, Endo Pebri Dani Putra, Martasari Beti Pangestuti, Meta Aquarista Galia, Mohammad Sukmanadi, Adeyinka Oye Akintunde, Riza Zainuddin Ahmad, Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori
The increasing demand for packaging technologies that actively maintain food quality and safety has highlighted the potential of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) as a multifunctional material. This review discusses the physicochemical properties, mechanisms of action, application formats, functional performance, and regulatory aspects of SiO₂ in active food packaging. Amorphous and mesoporous forms of SiO₂ exhibit high surface area, strong adsorption capacity, and thermal stability, enabling their use as moisture and oxygen absorbers as well as carriers for antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. Reported applications include silica gel sachets for moisture control, coatings and films reinforced with nanosilica, and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for controlled release of bioactive agents. Experimental evidence demonstrates that these systems can effectively reduce microbial growth, delay fruit ripening, and slow lipid oxidation, thereby extending shelf life while maintaining sensory quality. At the same time, nanosilica raises safety concerns due to potential migration and bioaccumulation, prompting stricter toxicological testing and regulatory oversight by bodies such as FDA, EFSA, and BPOM. The main finding of this review is that amorphous and mesoporous SiO₂ consistently provide superior functionality compared to crystalline forms, while regulatory compliance and consumer acceptance remain key challenges. Overall, SiO₂ shows strong promise as a safe and effective active packaging component, with future opportunities in smart and biodegradable packaging innovations. © 2025, Walailak University. All rights reserved.
Research Center for Process Technology, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Banten, South Tangerang, 15314, Indonesia; Research Center for Veterinary Science, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), West Java, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia; Research Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Traditional Medicine, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), West Java, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia; Research Center for Public Health and Nutrition, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), West Java, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia; Faculty of Military Pharmacy, Universitas Pertahanan, West Java, Bogor, 16810, Indonesia; Division of Veterinary Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, East Java, Surabaya, 60115, Indonesia; Research Center for Animal Husbandry, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), West Java, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia; Study Program of Agricultural Industrial Technology, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, Lampung, 35365, Indonesia; D4 Agroindustrial Product Development, Politeknik Negeri Cilacap, Central Java, Cilacap, 53212, Indonesia; Division of Basic Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, East Java, Surabaya, 60115, Indonesia; Department of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, Babcock University, Ogun, Ilishan Remo, 121003, Nigeria; Postgraduate School, Universitas Airlangga, Kampus B Dharmawangsa, East Java, Surabaya, 60286, Indonesia; Uttaranchal Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Uttaranchal University, Uttarakhand, 248007, India; Medical Biotechnology Research Group, Virtual Research Center for Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, East Java, Surabaya, 60493, Indonesia