A review of applications of cavitation in biochemical engineering/biotechnology

http://sourcedb.xtbg.cas.cn/zw/lw/201312/P020131220579561830195.pdf

Ultrasound-enhanced conversion of biomass to biofuels

Ultrasonics in food processing

Nanoemulsions are considered a very important tool for the delivery of bioactive compounds to the human body through food systems. Application of low-frequency ultrasound, a high-energy method, facilitates the homogenization and dispersion process under the influence of cavitation phenomena. Frequency, time, power, oil phase and aqueous phase are major parameters governing the cavitation process, concomitantly influencing the size and polydispersity index of nanoemulsion droplet. Additionally, hydrostatic pressure, gas content and temperature may also have profound effects on the process. Present review highlights the principles and production technology of high-intensity ultrasound and discusses the role of acoustic cavitation in the preparation of food-grade O/W nanoemulsions. Finally, it indicates technical hurdles, issues and future prospects of the technology.

An Overview of Ultrasound-Assisted Food-Grade Nanoemulsions

Background Emulsion systems are widely applied in food industry. Several methods have been used for emulsion preparation. Among these methods, high intensity ultrasound (HIU) has attracted much attention because it is considered as an eco-friendly and cost-effective method. The acoustic cavitation phenomenon induced by HIU devices can boost the disruption of oil droplets, facilitating the formation of stable emulsions. Scope and approach This review briefly discusses the major differences between different emulsification devices and the mechanism of ultrasound emulsification process. In addition, emulsion preparation using different emulsifiers such as proteins, polysaccharides and surfactants has been covered in this review. The challenges and future trends of ultrasonic emulsification have also been discussed. Key findings and conclusions HIU could be used to improve the emulsifying properties of food emulsifiers such as proteins and polysaccharides and enhance the stability of their emulsions. Protein-polysaccharide complex stabilized emulsions produced by HIU showed better stability against environmental stresses than the emulsions stabilized by individual components. Moreover, several studies showed that HIU homogenizers were more energy efficient than high pressure homogenizers and microfluidizers. However, research cooperation between academic institutes and food companies is recommended to develop effective large scale ultrasonic devices.

A. Cucheval

Papers

A study on the emulsification of oil by power ultrasound