Chapter 21 – Antimicrobial Packaging of Beverages

This chapter reviews the latest developments in antimicrobial and active packaging of beverages. It makes special emphasis on new packaging materials and novel beverage processing technologies. According to its definition, beverage active packaging systems should do something more than provide a barrier against external spoilage causes. These extra functions are usually related to maintaining both the sensorial, and the nutritional quality of foods. In this scope, we overview recent advances concerning the applications of innovative nanopolymers and bionanopolymers as high-barrier packaging materials, as well as metallic-based micro/nanocomposites as antimicrobial agents. Some active packages that cause a physical alteration of the beverages they contain are also discussed. Moreover, the technical aspects of some novel food processing technologies, such as high pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, and irradiation, and their applications and commercial status in beverage packaging are also covered.