Nano-Foods

Nanofood is defined as the food derived from the use of nanotechnology techniques or tools during cultivation, production, processing or packaging. After harvesting, crop is processed and then it reaches to consumers in the form of food. One common problem encountered in food sector is that it loses its freshness and quality before reaching to the consumers. Generally food contains bacteria and viruses which ends in illness and sometimes fatality. Nanotechnology can play an important role by designing smart biosensors that can be packed along with the food material. These smart biosensors will warn the consumers about the freshness of the food by colour change indicators. So if there is large concentration of bacteria in a particular food, the biosensor will produce a strong signal indicating the food as unsafe to eat. Biosensors developed on the basis of nanotechnology can detect pathogen in the food matrices. Multifunctional FeO NPs with their surface attached to antibodies can specifically bind to the microorganism can be used for their detection in complex food matrices.

A major problem in food science is determining and developing an effective packaging material. Quality and freshness of food can also be maintained by designing smart packaging materials using nanotechnology to keep the food fresh for longer duration. In addition, many companies are also adding NPs to dietary supplements to enhance their bioavailability and efficacy. Nutraceuticals like lycopene, beta-carotene, lutein, phytosterols, have been incorporated into nanosize self-assembled liquid structures to deliver nutrients to cells. Food and cosmetic companies are working together to develop new mechanism to deliver vitamins directly to the skin.

Nanotechnology may provide solutions to nanoscale biosensors for pathogen detection and to delivery systems for bioactive ingredients in foodstuffs through improved knowledge of food material and their uptake at the nanoscale. Consumers need to be aware of the risk that nanofood may suffer the destiny as genetically modified (GM) crops. Products developed by using nanotechnology are flooding the market in food industry. But there are no specific rules and regulations to check their risks.

A number of factors contribute to a demand for the traceability of food throughout production, processing, distribution and consumption. Nanotechnology based tracing devices can integrate multiple functional devices that provide other important information such as sensors for detection of the presence of pathogens, spoilage microorganism, allergen, chemicals, and other contaminants in food as well as nutritional information. Nanoscale tagging devices can be used to record and retrieve information about the product history. These types of applications will help producers, retailers and consumers regarding food safety.