Antimicrobial Polymer Additives: Innovations for Medical and Food Packaging Applications

Abstract

Antimicrobial polymer additives play a crucial role in preventing microbial contamination in medical devices and food packaging. This paper explores various antimicrobial additives, including silver nanoparticles, chitosan-based agents, and bioactive peptides, that inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. The study evaluates the effectiveness, safety, and regulatory compliance of these additives while discussing challenges such as antimicrobial resistance and material degradation. Additionally, the potential for biodegradable antimicrobial polymers is examined.