Nanotechnology in the food industry

Abstract

Nanotechnologies involve the manipulation of matter at a very small scale, generally between 1 and 100 nanometers. They exploit novel properties and functions that occur in matter at this scale. The application of nanotechnology in the areas of food and food packaging is growing rapidly, and in the area of food security, these applications include the detection of microorganisms, environmental protection, water purification, encapsulation of nutrients and food packing. Nanotechnology is opening up a world of new possibilities for the food industry, but the entry of nanoparticles into the food chain can result in a buildup of toxic contaminants in food and harm human health. This review focuses on the nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds, nanosensor especially to detect foodborne pathogens, applications of nanotechnology in food packing and highlight some of aspects of toxicology.