Facets of Nanotechnology as Seen in Food Processing, Packaging, and Preservation Industry

Table 2

List of selected nanotechniques used by different food industries for food packaging and preservation.

Nanotechniques	Examples with composition	Used in	Advantages	References
Nanosensors	Metal based nanosensors (Palladium, platinum, and gold)	Food packaging	Detection of any sort of change in the colour of the food	[31]
			Detection of any gases being produced due to spoilage	[31]
			Detection of any change in light, heat, humidity, gas, and chemicals into electrical signals	[32]
			Detection of toxins such as aflatoxin B1 in milk	[33]
	Single walled carbon Nano tubes and DNA	Food packaging	Monitoring the condition of the soil required for the growth of the crop	[34]
			Detection of the presence of pesticides on the surface of fruits and vegetables	[34]
	Carbon black and polyaniline	Food packaging	Detection carcinogens present in the food materials	[35]
			Detection of food-borne pathogens	[36]
			Detection of the microorganisms that usually infest the food	[37]
	Array biosensors, electronic noses, nano-test strips, and nanocantilevers	Food packaging	Changes colour on coming in contact with any sign of spoilage in the food material	[37]
	Nano-smart dust	Food packaging	Detection of any sort of environmental pollution	[38]
	Nanobarcodes	Food packaging	Detection of the quality of the agricultural produce	[38]
	Nanobiosensors	Food packaging	Detection of the viruses and the bacteria	[38]
	Biomimetic sensors (protein & biomimetic membranes) and smart biosensors	Food packaging	Determination of the presence of mycotoxins and several other toxic compounds; Act as pseudo cell surfaces which help in the detection and removal of the pathogens	[38]
	Surface Plasmon-coupled emission biosensors (with Au)	Food packaging	Detection of pathogenic organisms	[39]
	Cerium oxide immunosensors and chitosan based nanocomposites	Food packaging	Detection of several toxins such as ochratoxin A	[40]
	Carbon nanotubes and silicon nanowire transistors	Food packaging	Detection of staphylococcal enterotoxin B and cholera toxin	[40]
	iSTrip of time-temperature indicator/integrator	Food packaging	Detection of the spoilage of food based on the history of temperature	[41]
	Abuse indicators	Food packaging	Determination of the desired temperature has been achieved or not	[42]
	Partial temperature history indicator	Food packaging	Integration of time-temperature history when the temperature exceeds a certain pre-determined value	[42]
	Full-temperature history indicator	Food packaging	Registers a continuous change in temperature with respect to time; Detection of the change in temperature of frozen foods	[43]
	Reflective interferometry	Food packaging	Detection of E. coli contamination in packaged foods	[43]
Nanocomposites	Nanoclay (polymer & nanoparticles)	Food packaging	Used to create gas barriers which minimize the leakage of carbon dioxide from the bottles of carbonated beverages	[44]
	Aegis	Food packaging	Act as oxygen scavengers, retaining the carbon dioxide in the carbonated drinks	[44]
	Durethan (polyamide)	Food packaging	Provides stiffness to the paperboard containers for fruit juices	[45]
	Imperm (nylon)	Food packaging	Meant to scavenge oxygen	[46]
	Nanocor	Food packaging	Used in the manufacturing of plastic beer bottles in order to prevent the escape of carbon dioxide from the beverage	[47]
	Nanoencapsulation (nanolaminates)	Food packaging	Used to coat meats, cheese, fruits, vegetables, and baked goods	[47]
	Zinc oxide and pediocin & silver coated nanocomposites	Food packaging	Act as an antimicrobial agent	[48]
			Degrade the lipopolysaccharide	[26]
			Cause irreversible damage to the bacterial DNA	[49]
	PEG coated with garlic oil nanocomposites	Food packaging	Control pests at stores that infest the packaged food materials	[49]
	Bionanocomposites (cellulose & starch)	Food packaging	Proven to be efficient as layering materials for the packaging applications	[50]
	Enzyme immobilization	Food packaging	Provides a larger surface area and faster transfer rates	[51]
	Top Screen DS13 & Guard IN Fresh	Food packaging	Help in ripening of vegetables and fruits by scavenging ethylene gas	[51]
	NanoCeram PAC	Food packaging	Helps in rapid absorption of unpleasant components which may cause foul odour and create repulsive taste	[51]
Nanoparticles	Silicon dioxide	Food packaging & preservation	Reducing the leakage of moisture	[52]
			Anticaking and drying agent	[53]
			Absorbs the water molecules in food, showing hygroscopic application	[54]
	Titanium dioxide	Food packaging & preservation	Acts as a food colourant	[54]
			Photocatalytic disinfecting agent	[55]
			Used as food whitener for food products such as milk, cheese, and other dairy products	[56]
	Zinc oxide	Food packaging & preservation	Reduce the flow of oxygen inside the packaging containers	[57]
	Silver nanoparticles	Food packaging & preservation	Act as antibacterial agent and protect the food from microbial infestation	[57]
			Extend the shelf life of the fruits and vegetables by absorbing and decomposing ethylene	[58]
	Inorganic nanoceramic	Food packaging & preservation	Used in cooking oil for deep-frying food	[58]
	Polymeric nanoparticles	Food packaging & preservation	Known to be efficient delivery systems and are bactericidal	[58]