How is nanotechnology used in food packaging?
How is nanotechnology used in food packaging?
Nanomaterials used for food packaging provide many benefits such as improved mechanical barriers, detection of microbial contamination and potentially enhanced bioavailability of nutrients. This is perhaps the most common application of nanotechnology in food and food-related industries.
Which nanoparticles are used in food packaging?
Different nanoparticles oxide(s) such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), silicon oxide (SiO2), and magnesium oxide (MgO) do found application in food packaging, due to their ability to act as UV blockers and photo-catalytic disinfecting agents (Fujishima et al., 2000).
What are nanomaterials in food?
Nanomaterials in ‘a majority’ of food categories These include titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, iron oxides and hydroxides, calcium silicate, tricalcium phosphates, synthetic amorphous silicas, and organic and composite compounds.
Is nanotechnology good for food packaging?
Benefits of Nanotechnology in Packaging can reduce the packaging waste associated with processed foods and also support the preservation of fresh foods and thereby extending their self-life. The current technology can detect the microbial pathogens in food products in 2 to 7 days.
Is nanotechnology safe?
Lung damage is the chief human toxicity concern surrounding nanotechnology, with studies showing that most nanoparticles migrate to the lungs. However, there are also worries over the potential for damage to other organs.
Why is nano packaging important for food?
What makes nano special?
Nanoscale materials have far larger surface areas than similar masses of larger-scale materials. As surface area per mass of a material increases, a greater amount of the material can come into contact with surrounding materials, thus affecting reactivity.
How is nanotechnology being used in food packaging?
Intelligent and active packaging has proved to be great innovation for the future. Application of nanotechnology will provide new packaging materials enhancing the shelf life of the food material by improving mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties.
How does nano packaging increase the shelf life?
The substantial drive of nano packaging is to increase the shelf life. This is done to decrease the gas and moisture exchange and UV light exposure by enhancing the barrier functions of packaging [33]. To extend the shelf life, nano packaging can also be designed to discharge antioxidants, enzymes, flavors, antimicrobials or nutraceuticals [21].
How is Nono packaging used in food science?
Nono-packaging can keep oxygen from entering into sealed packaging and keep carbon dioxide from escaping, preventing spoilage and helping keep the right texture intact.
What kind of food can be made with nanoparticles?
As of now, most of the 1,000+ products that are being made with nanoparticles are not food themselves — they are packages, cookware and supplements. Some examples include: some produce that is coated with a wax-like substance to prevent spoilage, such as apples, pears, peppers, cucumbers, and other fruit and vegetables