Zein, a biodegradable amphiphilic material, enables efficient encapsulation and sustained release of active compounds such as antibacterial and antioxidant agents through electrospinning technology. This article presents a bibliometric analysis of recent advancements in this field, clarifying the factors (solution properties, process conditions and environmental parameters) regulating the formation of zein-based electrospun active nanofibers. It reviews the physicochemical properties (mechanical properties, thermal stability, barrier performance, and loading capacity), release and functional properties (antioxidant and antibacterial activity), biodegradability, and safety of zein-based electrospun active nanofiber membranes and summarizes their applications in antioxidant, antimicrobial, ethylene-removing and smart sensor-ased packaging. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions are discussed.