13 - Nano-Based Products in Beverage Industry

Abstract

This chapter describes the recent progress of nano-engineering or nanotechnology in the beverage industry including the methods of preparation, effects of nano-based product consumption and the strategies in risk assessment. Nanotechnology plays an important role in the beverage industry for food packaging material, nano-sensor for food quality, nano-encapsulation, and the delivery of encapsulated active compound. The advancement in nanotechnology has developed the food and beverage industry, particularly in the nutraceutical and functional foods. These value-added products ease the delivery of bioactive compounds to the human body for a better bioavailability, improved quality, enhance stability, and extended shelf life. There are several delivery systems such as nanoemulsion, solid-lipid nanoparticle, niosome, and liposome. Meanwhile, the choice of delivery system is mainly based on the chemical characteristics including solubility and stability of bioactive compounds. However, nano-sized particles may have some limitations in their application due to the toxicity level in gastrointestinal track, skin, and lung. Active compounds loaded with nano-sized substances can easily penetrate through blood circulatory system to different tissues and organs. Therefore, nano-based products should be subjected to the assessment of nano-toxicity prior being used in foods and beverages. There are several assessment methods such as exposure assessment, toxicology of nanoparticles, environmental and biological fate, transport, persistence, transformation of nanoparticles, recyclability, and sustainability of nanomaterials. The method of assessment depends on the type of nano-based products and their applications.