4 - Design of Nanoparticles for Future Beverage Industry

Abstract

Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of matter on the nanometer level and use of these nanoscale particles for the development of new materials and products. Nanotechnology has a wide range of applications in beverage industry. Nanotechnology has shown its potential in improving sensorial, nutritional, and quality attributes of beverages. In addition, nano-capsules can be used as delivery systems of various bioactive components in the functional beverages. Nano-engineered membranes have been employed in the beverage processing. Further, nano-packaging of beverages is another promising area of application of nanoparticles in the beverage industry. Likewise, physical properties of the beverages can also be improved by modifying the particle size at nanoscale. Accordingly, this chapter will highlight the production processes of nanoscaled particles for beverage industry, detection and characterization of nanoparticles, regulatory framework for utilization of nanotechnology in beverage industry, role of nanotechnology in augmenting nutritional and sensory properties of beverages, nanoscaled delivery systems for the development of functional beverages, and nanotechnology-based packaging systems for beverage industry. Further, principles and potential applications of nano-engineered membrane systems in beverage processing will also be discussed. Finally, risks associated with the use of nanoparticles in beverage processing and customer perceptions about use of nanotechnology-based beverages will be overviewed in this chapter.