Nanotechnology Applications in the Food Industry
Nanotechnology is the study, creation and use of materials, devices or systems at the extremely small scales of 1–100 nm where novel phenomena and properties of mater, which differ significantly from that of the bulk materials, are known to arise. This is
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Nanotechnology Applications in the Food Industry Emmanuel A. Echiegu
Abstract
Nanotechnology is the study, creation and use of materials, devices or systems at the extremely small scales of 1–100 nm where novel phenomena and properties of mater, which differ significantly from that of the bulk materials, are known to arise. This is largely because of the larger specific surface area which gives rise to the exhibition of quantum effect. This phenomenon has given rise to novel application of the technology in various domains of knowledge including agriculture, biotechnology, medicine, materials science, etc. In the industry of food processing, packaging, storage and distribution, nanotechnology is employed in the incorporation and targeted delivery of nutrient in food and in enhancing the bioavailability of the nutrient. It is also employed in the introduction of antimicrobials and health supplements and in tracking of contaminants in food among other uses. Nanomaterials used for various purposes in the food industry include nanoparticles, nanofibres, nanotubes, nanoemulsion, nanoclays, nanocomposites, nanocapsules, nanosensors, etc. Presented in this chapter are the materials, structures, systems and processes involved in processing, preservation, packaging, handling and storage of food for enhanced food quality and food safety. Potential hazards associated with the use of nanotechnology in the food industry as well as needed regulatory measures are also discussed. Keywords
Nanotechnology • Nanomaterials • Nanoparticles • Nanocomposites • Nanoemulsions • Nanofibres • Nanotubes • Nanosensors • Nutraceuticals • Food industry • Food processing • Food packaging • Food safety
E.A. Echiegu (*) Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria e-mail: [email protected] © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017 R. Prasad et al. (eds.), Nanotechnology, DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-4678-0_9
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E.A. Echiegu
Introduction
Nanotechnology is the study, design, creation, manipulation and use of materials, devices or systems at the extremely small scales of 1–100 nm where novel phenomena and properties of mater are known to arise (Ravichandran and Sasi Kala 2006, Alfadul and Elneshwy 2010, Ravichandran 2010, Singh et al. 2015, Echiegu 2016). These properties can be physical, chemical, electrical, mechanical, optical or magnetic. The novel properties are largely due to the fact that nanosized materials have significantly large specific surface areas. Since chemical and biological reactions are surface phenomenon, the larger surface area relative to the volume results in greater reactive activities when compared to bulk materials of similar chemical composition (Alfadul and Elneshwy 2010). Nanotechnology has found applications in various disciplines such as medicine, biotechnology, agriculture, biological sciences, etc. (Tarver 2006; Ravichandran 2010). In agriculture it is employed for rapid detection and molecular treatment o
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