Nanotechnology in the Food Industry

Food PackagingBiola IgeBE 2352

October 29th, 2012

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology in the Food Industry Food Growth Food Processing Food Packaging

Definitions

Major research areas

Benefits and Risks

Projections for the future

Outline: Nanotech in Food Packaging

Currently 4 major Areas of Research Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites Films with Embedded Enzymes Silver-based Nanocomposites Nanosensors

Nanotechnology in Food Packaging

Definitions Nanocomposites Polymer

Nanocomposites

Current uses in other applications

Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites

Structure of a nanocomposite

Structure

Preparative Methods Monomer Intercalation Method Monomer Modification Method Covulcanization Method Common Solvent Method Polymer Intercalation Method

Types of Polymers Used Nylon Polyolefin Plant Oil Polypropylene

Polymer-Clay Nanocomposites

Different types of a nanocomposite

Films with Embedded EnzymesPlastic covers that could improve shelf life by “scavenging” oxygen from within a package, which would slow oxidation and inhibit bacteria growth. Glucose Oxidase/Catalase

Food covers that would degrade or be recyclable and therefore be better for environment than the plastic covers currently in circulation. Embedded enzymatic

degradation: Control of the lifetime of a material through embedding an enzyme in the film Only petroleum based

materials such as polyethylene or propylene can be used as barriers

Layers of a film with embedded enzymes

Films with Embedded Enzymes

The absorption is described as being initially diffusion controlled for a short time followed by thin-layer sorption and capillary condensation.

The calculation of permeability constant for multilayered films is performed using:

WherePT = Total permeabilitylT = Total polymer thicknessln = Thickness of the individual layerPn = Permeability of individual layerD = DiffusiontL = time lag value in secondsD0 = Preexponential factorsEd = Diffusion activation energyR = Gas ConstantT = Temperature in K

PT =

And diffusion is determined by:,

Silver-Based NanocompositesConsists of:

• Silver Nanoparticles

• Biogenic Magnetite Nanoparticles isolated from magnetotactic bacteria

• Polymer ex. Chitosan

Synthesis procedure

• Modification of the polyol process

• Two lithographic methods

• A negative resist based on PVA

• A positive UV resist

• Chemical synthesis of colloidal NPs

The prepared nanocomposites reveal increased bactericidal and antifungal activity and have also been proven to kill microorganisms, including several pathogens.

Example of a silver-based nanocomposite

A nanosensor is a chemical or physical sensor constructed using nanoscale components, usually microscopic/submicroscopic in size.

Nanosensors

Active nanosensors These are nanosensors that have the ability to send signals which could be received remotely

Passive nanosensors These are nanosensors that rely on observation of a change in color, opacity or fluorescence It could also be a sensor that will

detect the presence of nanomaterials or molecules in the nm size range or smaller.

Different types of nanosensors

Risks and Benefits

Nanosensors could be used as contamination sensors, detecting when food is bad and changing the color of the packaging

Silver-Based nanocomposites would act as antimicrobial packaging

Food would last longer as the film with embedded enzymes would take away the O2 disallowing growth

Polymer-clay composites provide a barrier that would seal CO2 and N2 and keep out O2. keeping food fresh for longer.

Since the field is relatively new, there are no specific regulations controlling the research

Despite the fact that nanocomposites change fundamentally when combined, the regulations treat the components as a sum of its parts which could be harmful to the intended consumer

Nanoparticles tend to accumulate and persist in human tissues, to unknown effect

For films with embedded enzymes: By changing the parameters, it might be possible to further tune bioresorption rates of enzyme-embedded biomaterials making it the nanoparticles easier to digest.

Thanks to Nanosensors, we may get used to seeing entire packages change color if the product inside got too warm at some point in the supply chain, making spotting damaged food easier and less expensive.

Polymer-clay nanocomposites may lead to high-performance bio-based or even edible packaging, reducing waste and helping the environment

Future Projections

The future

As is evident, nanotechnology offers tremendous opportunities for innovative developments in food packaging.

However, it also has applications in medicine such as stem cell and cancer cell research, applications in industry such as making stronger and lighter materials for cars and planes, and really just about everything – food processing, micro labeling, etc.

Proponents say that Nanotechnology is THE technology of the future.

Conclusion

14

Questions?