Chapter 16 - Bionanocomposites in food industry

Abstract

In the quest of suitable bionanomaterials for food industry, many efforts were attempted using the vast knowledge of biological supplies, novel aspects of nanotechnology and concepts of nanoscience. However, in the current era, all these efforts have been streamlined in this major field of human consumption. The utilization of bionanocomposites in food industry is a step ahead to entertain the benefits of nanomaterials. It was a long journey in the food industry, ended up with the present modifications in this important field. The food market is one of the huge global industries which demand continuous research and innovative ideas. Since it’s an old industry, it has been entertained by the various technologies throughout its growing period. The use of the nanomaterials and especially bionanomaterials is recent development in food industry. These new materials are the need of the time to develop and preserve the food for longer time under the harsh climatic conditions. This chapter highlights the nanofillers which are useful to develop bionanocomposites for food, it also emphasis on the modification of biological materials in bionanocomposites for food industry. The chapter discuss all the important bionanocomposites emerging from protein and cellulose to cheese and fish gelation, with their potential scope in the food industry and its divergent applications. It elaborates the use of bionanocomposites in food packaging industry as well. This chapter expansively and systematically deals with the application of bionanocomposites in the food industry. It also covers the future prospects of this growing field. It also highlights the modern trends of nanoencapsulation and nanosensors in food industry. Nevertheless, the usage of bionanocomposites in food industry in not devoid of any harmful effects. The future of bionanocomposites in food industry has also been addressed effectually.