Enzyme-responsive controlled-release materials for food preservation and crop protection - A review

The adoption of environmentally friendly and efficient methods to control food spoilage and crop diseases has become a new worldwide trend. In the medical field, various enzyme-responsive controlled-release drug formulations have been developed for precision therapy. Recently, these materials and techniques have also begun to be applied in the fields of food preservation and agricultural protection. This review of contemporary research focuses on applications of enzyme-responsive controlled-release materials in the field of food preservation and crop protection. It covers a variety of composite controlled-release materials triggered by different types of enzymes and describes in detail their composition and structure, controlled-release mechanisms, and practical application effects. The enzyme-responsive materials have been employed to control foodborne pathogens, fungi, and pests. These enzyme-responsive controlled-release materials exhibit excellent capabilities for targeted drug delivery. Upon contact with microorganisms or pests, the polymer shell of the material is degraded by secreted enzymes from these organisms, thereby releasing drugs that kill or inhibit the organisms. In addition, multi-enzyme sensitive carriers have been created to improve the effectiveness and broad spectrum of the delivery system. The increasing trend towards the use of enzyme-responsive controlled-release materials has opened up countless possibilities in food and agriculture.