Abstract:Nitric Oxide (NO) has demonstrated excellent preservation function in the food field due to its outstanding antimicrobial, anti-biofilm and anti-pest properties. In order to further improve its stability, extend its service life, and reduce its toxic side effects, many researchers are dedicated to the development of NO donor sustained-release carriers and systems that are more stable, efficient, and safe. Different sustained-release strategies have facilitated the modulation of NO release rates within a range of 0.1 to 10 μmol/h, while extending the release duration from several hours to several tens of days. This enhanced release profile has enabled the widespread application of NO donor sustained-release systems in the biomedical field. In this paper, the production and signaling pathways of NO are reviewed. The design and development of various types of NO donor sustained-release systems, as well as their practical effectiveness and application potential in food preservation across categories such as meat, seafood, fruits and vegetables, are analyzed and summarized. The development of NO donor sustained-release system can provide new ideas and solutions to enhance the bioavailability of NO, improve the food quality and extend its shelf life, which shows great application prospects in the food sector.