A Review of Recent Advances in ZnO-Enzyme Hybrid Systems and Their Applications in the Food Industry

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have gained increasing attention across food, biomedical, environmental, and many industrial fields due to their antimicrobial properties, chemical stability, and favorable physicochemical characteristics. In parallel, enzyme immobilization on nanostructured supports has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance enzyme stability, reusability, and functional performance in biosensing and biocatalytic systems. This mini-review summarizes recent advances in the synthesis of ZnO-NPs, with emphasis on green and biogenic approaches, and examines their integration with enzymes to form ZnO-enzyme hybrid systems. Key enzyme classes, immobilization strategies, and representative applications in food quality monitoring, biosensing, and food-processing-related biocatalysis are discussed. The novelty of this article is its comprehensive and application-oriented perspective. Unlike previous reviews that primarily addressed either ZnO nanoparticle synthesis or generic enzyme immobilization, this manuscript critically integrates strategies across the full value chain, from material preparation to functional application. In addition, the review critically evaluates toxicity, migration, safety, and regulatory considerations associated with ZnO-NPs, highlighting existing knowledge gaps and the need for standardized assessment frameworks. Despite promising proof-of-concept studies, challenges related to nanoparticle reproducibility, enzyme leaching, and long-term safety remain, underscoring the need for integrated and application-oriented research to enable safe and effective implementation of ZnO-enzyme hybrid technologies in many different sectors.