Foodborne illnesses continue to represent a serious risk to public health, with nearly two million cases reported every year in the united states

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce $224,972 on December 1, 2025, under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI, CFDA 10.310) to develop biodegradable food packaging films incorporating antimicrobial nanoparticles.

The project creates protective films from natural materials such as chitosan and alginate, embedding zinc oxide nanoparticles combined with silver or gold to inhibit bacterial growth, including antibiotic-resistant strains. The work addresses food safety risks in Puerto Rico, where the island imports approximately 85 percent of its food and faces elevated contamination exposure during transport, handling, and distribution. The research serves as an educational platform, engaging undergraduate and high school students from southern Puerto Rico in hands-on training in modern scientific techniques to build local capacity in food safety research.

Performance occurs in Ponce, Puerto Rico, with completion scheduled for November 30, 2028. The University of Puerto Rico in Ponce is a state-controlled, Hispanic-Serving Institution serving first-generation college students, individuals from disadvantaged economic backgrounds, and students with disabilities across southern Puerto Rico.

These illnesses are most often caused by harmful bacteria such as salmonella, e. Coli, and listeria. In puerto rico, the risk is especially high because the island imports about 85% of its food. This means that products travel long distances and face more opportunities for contamination during transport, handling, and distribution. As a result, there is an urgent need for new and effective strategies to improve food safety and protect the health of consumers. This project will focus on creating protective films made from natural and biodegradable materials, such as chitosan and alginate, which are safe for use in food packaging. Within these films, we will incorporate very small particles of zinc oxide combined with silver or gold. These nanoparticles have special properties that can stop or slow the growth of bacteria, including those that are resistant to common treatments. By combining them with natural films, we aim to produce a new type of food packaging material that is more effective at preventing contamination and keeping food safe and fresh. In addition to its benefits for food safety, the project will serve as an educational platform. Undergraduate and high school students from southern puerto rico will actively participate in the research process, gaining valuable hands-on training in modern scientific techniques. This experience will help prepare the next generation of scientists and professionals in food safety and related areas. By improving food protection while also expanding educational opportunities, the project directly supports healthier communities and builds local capacity for scientific research in an underrepresented region.