By Michael Greenwood, M.Sc.Oct 23 2023Reviewed by Megan Craig, M.Sc. Various types of nanomaterials, due to their differing construction material, shape, size, and integration, have been exploited for a wide variety of applications within the food industry. Applications include acting to improve the integrity of food items and as sensing agents in “smart packaging” applications.
See our full range of equipment. Antimicrobial Protection to Food Products Many types of nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles constructed from silver or copper, demonstrate innate antibiotic properties, typically explained by the slow release of charged metal ions in the vicinity of the bacterium, either directly damaging it, or assisting in the generation of reactive oxygen species that go on to do the same.
Sensors in Food Packaging As briefly mentioned, nanomaterials constructed from plasmonic materials, namely gold and silver, demonstrate unique optical properties at the nanoscale not observed in the bulk material.
For example, Tseng et al. produced paper-based plasmonic sensors, wherein metallic silver, gold, and gold-silver alloy nanoparticles were embedded into flexible paper using nanoimprint lithography, which serve as gas sensors in the detection of volatile biogenic amines originating from spoiled food.
See More: How Nanotechnology is Joining the Food Fraud Fight References and Further Reading Singh, R., et al. . Future of Nanotechnology in Food Industry: Challenges in Processing, Packaging, and Food Safety. Global Challenges, 7, 2200209. doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202200209