C. Anandharamakrishnan

Bio: C. Anandharamakrishnan is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Spray drying & Food packaging. The author has an hindex of 42, co-authored 244 publications receiving 5472 citations. Previous affiliations of C. Anandharamakrishnan include Council of Scientific and Industrial Research & Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.

Nanoencapsulation Techniques for Food Bioactive Components: A Review

Abstract: The protection and controlled release of bioactive compounds at the right time and the right place can be implemented by encapsulation. Nanoencapsulation remains to be the one of the most promising technologies having the feasibility to entrap bioactive compounds. Nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds has versatile advantages for targeted site-specific delivery and efficient absorption through cells. However, researches in the application of nanotechnology in the food industry have been very limited and there are only a few review articles that explored the nanoencapsulation technology. This review focuses on the various nanoencapsulation techniques such as emulsification, coacervation, inclusion, complexation nanoprecipitation, emulsification–solvent evaporation, and supercritical fluid for food ingredients. Drying techniques such as spray drying and freeze drying for stabilization of nanoparticles are also discussed. Current state of knowledge, limitations of these techniques, and recent trends are also discussed. Finally, safety and regulatory issues in the nanoencapsulation of bioactive compounds are also highlighted.

Electrospinning and electrospraying techniques: Potential food based applications

Abstract: Electrohydrodynamic processes namely electrospinning and electrospraying are facile, cost effective and flexible methods that utilize electrically charged jet of polymer solution for production of fibers or particles at micron, submicron and nanoscale. The electrospun fibers and electrosprayed particles possess many structural and functional advantages. However, their use in the field of food processing and preservation remains less explored. This review provides a succinct discussion on the potential food based applications of electrospinning and electrospraying techniques such as encapsulation, enzyme immobilization, food coating and development of materials for filtration and active food packaging. Further, the existing limitations and scope for future research are underscored.

A critical analysis of extraction techniques used for botanicals: Trends, priorities, industrial uses and optimization strategies

Abstract: Plant extracts have been long used by the traditional healers for providing health benefits and are nowadays suitable ingredient for the production of formulated health products and nutraceuticals. Traditional methods of extraction such as maceration, percolation, digestion, and preparation of decoctions and infusions are now been replaced by advanced extraction methods for increased extraction efficiency and selectivity of bioactive compounds to meet up the increasing market demand. Advanced techniques use different ways for extraction such as microwaves, ultrasound waves, supercritical fluids, enzymes, pressurized liquids, electric field, etc. These innovative extraction techniques, afford final extracts selectively rich in compounds of interest without formation of artifacts, and are often simple, fast, environment friendly and fully automated compared to existing extraction method. The present review is focused on the recent trends on the extraction of different bioactive chemical constituents depending on the nature of sample matrices and their chemical classes including anthocyanins, flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, oils, etc. In addition, we review the strategies for designing extraction, selection of most suitable extraction methods, and trends of extraction methods for botanicals. Recent progress on the research based on these advanced methods of extractions and their industrial importance are also discussed in detail.

Intelligent packaging: Trends and applications in food systems

Abstract: Background In recent years, research on food packaging is gaining momentum, primarily being driven by consumer preferences to food quality and food safety. Also, as food packaging plays a pivotal role in product selection at retail outlets, the interest on developing novel strategies in food packaging is on the rise. One such concept with huge potential in the food industry is intelligent packaging. Scope and approach The focus of this work is to provide an up-to-date information on intelligent tools such as indicators (thermal indicators, leak indicators, freshness indicators, pH indicators), sensors, radio frequency identification tags and other essential aspects of intelligent packaging systems as reported in literature and those that have gained commercial value for applications in the food supply chain. Key findings and conclusions Emphasizing the potential of intelligent packaging, a range of products, including muscle-based foods, and fruits and vegetables are discussed. Importantly, this work highlights research needs, particularly in terms of applications for liquid foods, which are the most perishable commodities.

Microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum (MTCC 5422) with fructooligosaccharide as wall material by spray drying

Abstract: Microencapsulation is a promising technique for delivery of live microbial supplements through foods. Prebiotics like ‘fructooligosaccharide (FOS)’ can be used as a wall material to produce synbiotics. However, the low glass transition temperature (Tg) of FOS causes stickiness when used as wall material during spray drying. This problem was alleviated by FOS in combination with whey protein isolate (WPI) or denatured whey protein isolate (DWPI) for encapsulating the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum (MTCC 5422). Microencapsulation was performed with wall materials FOS, FOS + WPI, FOS + DWPI at two different core-to-wall ratios of 1:1 and 1:1.5. FOS + WPI and FOS + DWPI microcapsules of 1:1 core-to-wall ratio exhibited higher encapsulation efficiency, lower residual moisture content and narrow range of particle size distribution than 1:1.5. However, microcapsules of 1:1.5 core-to-wall ratios enhanced the storage stability and tolerance of probiotic cells in the simulated gastric and intestinal conditions. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of whey proteins and FOS in the microcapsules after spray drying. On overall comparison, FOS + DWPI microcapsules of 1:1 core-to-wall ratio had higher encapsulation efficiency (98.63%) but 1:1.5 ratio exhibited better storage stability and protection in simulated gastric, as well as intestinal condition than the other encapsulates.

Turmeric and curcumin: Biological actions and medicinal applications

Abstract: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is extensively used as a spice, food preservative and colouring material in India, China and South East Asia. It has been used in traditional medicine as a household remedy for various diseases, including biliary disorders, anorexia, cough, diabetic wounds, hepatic disorders, rheumatism and sinusitis. For the last few decades, extensive work has been done to establish the biological activities and pharmacological actions of turmeric and its extracts. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), the main yellow bioactive component of turmeric has been shown to have a wide spectrum of biological actions. These include its antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, anticoagulant, antifertility, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral, antifibrotic, antivenom, antiulcer, hypotensive and hypocholesteremic activities. Its anticancer effect is mainly mediated through induction of apoptosis. Its antiinflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant roles may be clinically exploited to control rheumatism, carcinogenesis and oxidative stress-related pathogenesis. Clinically, curcumin has already been used to reduce post-operative inflammation. Safety evaluation studies indicate that both turmeric and curcumin are well tolerated at a very high dose without any toxic effects. Thus, both turmeric and curcumin have the potential for the development of modern medicine for the treatment of various diseases.

Nanotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture: Recent Developments, Challenges, and Perspectives.

Abstract: Nanotechnology monitors a leading agricultural controlling process, especially by its miniature dimension. The application of nanotechnology to agriculture and food industries is resonant increased encumbrance because of the potential benefits ranging from enhanced food quality, safety to reduced agricultural inputs and enriched absorbing nanoscale nutrients from the soil. Agriculture, food and natural resources are a part of those challenges like sustainability, susceptibility, human health and healthy life. The ambition of nanomaterials in agriculture is to reduce the amount of spread chemicals, minimize nutrient losses in fertilization and increased yield through pest and nutrient management. Nanotechnology has the prospective to improve the agriculture and food industry with novel nanotools for the controlling of rapid disease diagnostic, enhancing the capacity of plants to absorb nutrients among others. The significant interest of using nanotechnology in agriculture includes specific applications like nanofertilizers and nanopesticides to trail products and nutrients levels to increase the productivity without decontamination of soils, waters and protection against several insect pest and microbial diseases. Nanotechnology may act as sensors for monitoring soil quality of agricultural field and thus it maintain the health of agricultural plants.This study provides a review of the current challenges of sustainability, food security and climate change that are exploring by the researchers in the area of nanotechnology in the improvement of agriculture.

A standardised static in vitro digestion method suitable for food – an international consensus

Abstract: Simulated gastro-intestinal digestion is widely employed in many fields of food and nutritional sciences, as conducting human trials are often costly, resource intensive, and ethically disputable. As a consequence, in vitro alternatives that determine endpoints such as the bioaccessibility of nutrients and non-nutrients or the digestibility of macronutrients (e.g. lipids, proteins and carbohydrates) are used for screening and building new hypotheses. Various digestion models have been proposed, often impeding the possibility to compare results across research teams. For example, a large variety of enzymes from different sources such as of porcine, rabbit or human origin have been used, differing in their activity and characterization. Differences in pH, mineral type, ionic strength and digestion time, which alter enzyme activity and other phenomena, may also considerably alter results. Other parameters such as the presence of phospholipids, individual enzymes such as gastric lipase and digestive emulsifiers vs. their mixtures (e.g. pancreatin and bile salts), and the ratio of food bolus to digestive fluids, have also been discussed at length. In the present consensus paper, within the COST Infogest network, we propose a general standardised and practical static digestion method based on physiologically relevant conditions that can be applied for various endpoints, which may be amended to accommodate further specific requirements. A frameset of parameters including the oral, gastric and small intestinal digestion are outlined and their relevance discussed in relation to available in vivo data and enzymes. This consensus paper will give a detailed protocol and a line-by-line, guidance, recommendations and justifications but also limitation of the proposed model. This harmonised static, in vitro digestion method for food should aid the production of more comparable data in the future.