Nanotechnology in Food Sector

Abstract

Recently, applications of nanotechnology are in the lime light in all the sectors including food and nutrition. Food nanotechnology is becoming new frontiers of this century. The applications of nanotechnology in food and agriculture sector are comparatively more recent than the nano-drugs and nanopharmaceuticals. Smart and efficient delivery of active food components, protein bioseparation, nanoencapsulation of nutraceuticals are few of the emerging topics in food and agriculture nanotechnology. Other advancement in food and agriculture biotechnology is the nano-films and their applications in packaging also the smart materials for sensing properties make it more fit to be used in food and agriculture sector. Industrialists, scientists and researchers are focusing to meet their need with the help of nanotechnology e.g. high nutrition level, efficient nutritional delivery, more shelf life, good mechanical properties as well as longer shelf life and durability of food-products. In this review, we have summarized the applications of nanotechnology in food and nutraceuticals and also have identified the outstanding challenges to be overcome which further indicates future of this food nanotechnology. Here in this review, we have described (i) the recently launched marketed nano-foods; (ii) major applications of nanotechnology in food and its allied sectors (iii) challenges and opportunities in nano-food processing.