In this article, several applications of nanomaterials in food packaging and food safety are reviewed, including: polymer/clay nanocomposites as high barrier packaging materials, silver nanoparticles as potent antimicrobial agents, and nanosensors and nanomaterial-based assays for the detection of food-relevant analytes (gasses, small organic molecules and food-borne pathogens). In addition to covering the technical aspects of these topics, the current commercial status and understanding of health implications of these technologies are also discussed. These applications were chosen because they do not involve direct addition of nanoparticles to consumed foods, and thus are more likely to be marketed to the public in the short term.

Applications of nanotechnology in food packaging and food safety: Barrier materials, antimicrobials and sensors

Bio-nanocomposites for food packaging applications

The structure

Fish gelatin: properties, challenges, and prospects as an alternative to mammalian gelatins

Foreword. Preface. Introduction. The Framework of Population Balances. Birth and Death Functions. The Solution of Population Balance Equations. Similarity Behavior of Population Balance Equations. Inverse Problems in Population Balances. The Statistical Foundation of Population Balances. Index.

Population Balances: Theory and Applications to Particulate Systems in Engineering

A model for concentration of proteins from dilute solutions in a continuous foam fractionation column is proposed. This model accounts for (1) kinetics of adsorption of proteins in the liquid pool as well as in the foam, (2) liquid drainage from thin films due to Plateau border suction and disjoining pressure, (3) gravity drainage of liquid from Plateau borders, and (4) bubble coalescence in the foam. Protein enrichment and recovery were found to increase as the liquid pool height increased, eventually attaining constant values (corresponding to adsorption equilibrium), thus demonstrating the strong dependence of protein separation on adsorption kinetics. Higher enrichments and lower recoveries were obtained for smaller gas velocities, larger bubble sizes, and higher feed flow rates. Enrichments as well as recoveries were higher at lower feed concentrations. Coalescence was found to lead to higher enrichments and lower recoveries, this dependence being stronger for larger inlet bubble sizes.

A Model for Continuous Foam Concentration of Proteins: Effects of Kinetics of Adsorption of Proteins and Coalescence of Foam

Drainage of particle stabilized foam film

Absorption of sulfur dioxide in calcium hydroxide solutions

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) are natural essential oil components that have outstanding antimicrobial activities. However, low water solubility, high volatility, and easy degradation by heat, restricting their application in food packing industry. Development of the inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin/AITC (β-CD/AITC) is a promising solution. Furthermore, the incorporation of β-CD/AITC complex into polylactic acid (PLA) films would be an attractive method to develop food antimicrobial materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the enhancement in physicochemical properties, antimicrobial activities, and controlled release of β-CD/AITC from such films. The addition of β-CD/AITC significantly increased the flexibility and thermal stability of films. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results revealed that the interactions between β-CD/AITC and PLA films occurred. The controlled release of AITC encapsulated in β-CD was significantly affected by relative humidity and temperature. The PLA films containing β-CD/AITC can be applied as an effective antimicrobial packing material for food and non-food applications.

Preparation and Characterization of Ternary Antimicrobial Films of β-Cyclodextrin/Allyl Isothiocyanate/Polylactic Acid for the Enhancement of Long-Term Controlled Release.

Ganesan Narsimhan

Papers

A Model for Continuous Foam Concentration of Proteins: Effects of Kinetics of Adsorption of Proteins and Coalescence of Foam

Drainage of particle stabilized foam film

Absorption of sulfur dioxide in calcium hydroxide solutions

Preparation and Characterization of Ternary Antimicrobial Films of β-Cyclodextrin/Allyl Isothiocyanate/Polylactic Acid for the Enhancement of Long-Term Controlled Release.

An Experimental Study of Transient Behavior of an Adiabatic Continuous-Flow Stirred Tank Reactor