The traditional role of food packaging is continuing to evolve in response to changing market needs. Current drivers such as consumer's demand for safer, "healthier," and higher-quality foods, ideally with a long shelf-life; the demand for convenient and transparent packaging, and the preference for more sustainable packaging materials, have led to the development of new packaging technologies, such as active packaging (AP). As defined in the European regulation (EC) No 450/2009, AP systems are designed to "deliberately incorporate components that would release or absorb substances into or from the packaged food or the environment surrounding the food." Active packaging materials are thereby "intended to extend the shelf-life or to maintain or improve the condition of packaged food." Although extensive research on AP technologies is being undertaken, many of these technologies have not yet been implemented successfully in commercial food packaging systems. Broad communication of their benefits in food product applications will facilitate the successful development and market introduction. In this review, an overview of AP technologies, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant or carbon dioxide-releasing systems, and systems absorbing oxygen, moisture or ethylene, is provided, and, in particular, scientific publications illustrating the benefits of such technologies for specific food products are reviewed. Furthermore, the challenges in applying such AP technologies to food systems and the anticipated direction of future developments are discussed. This review will provide food and packaging scientists with a thorough understanding of the benefits of AP technologies when applied to specific foods and hence can assist in accelerating commercial adoption.

Active Packaging Applications for Food.

The current application of nanotechnology in food and agriculture.

Current agricultural practices, developed during the green revolution, are becoming unsustainable, especially in the face of climate change and growing populations. Nanotechnology will be an important driver for the impending agri-tech revolution that promises a more sustainable, efficient and resilient agricultural system, while promoting food security. Here, we present the most promising new opportunities and approaches for the application of nanotechnology to improve the use efficiency of necessary inputs (light, water, soil) for crop agriculture, and for better managing biotic and abiotic stress. Potential development and implementation barriers are discussed, emphasizing the need for a systems approach to designing proposed nanotechnologies.

Opportunities and challenges for nanotechnology in the agri-tech revolution.

Background Vitamins are bioactive molecules necessary for human health, which are sensible to degradation. During consumption, the bioavailability of these compounds might be limited due to structure break-down and low absorption. Today, nanoencapsulation can be a promising approach for targeted delivery of vitamins and protecting these bioactive components against destructive environment during processing and delivery. Regarding the benefits of utilizing nanotechnology in the food sector, safety aspects of these tiny carriers should also be clarified as this technology develops. Due to the possible negative effects of nanomaterials, several agencies have legislated regulatory policies to prevent potential harms to the consumers, which are underlined in this article. Scope and approach Nanoencapsulation-based technologies are a unique and novel field of investigation in the food and pharmaceutical industry with benefits, such as higher bioavailability, high shelf-stability and controlled release of active compounds. This review highlights recent works on these techniques and advances made in nanoencapsulation of lipophilic and hydrophilic vitamins, safety issues and health risks regarding the consumption of these products, which opens new horizons in food technology and nutrition with possibilities of commercialization in the near future. Key findings and conclusions Recently, considerable progresses are being carried out in the field of food nanoencapsulation involving novel nanovehicles to encapsulate vitamins. Nanofibers and nanohydrogels are some examples of efficient and modern nanocarriers. Overall, the vitamins encapsulated within nanovehicles are considered safe since they are mostly produced from food components, meanwhile more studies should be performed regarding the safety issues of nanodelivery of vitamins. In near future, it is assumed that nanoencapsulated vitamins will be broadly applied the in the food and beverage products.

Nano-encapsulation as a promising approach for targeted delivery and controlled release of vitamins

Background Bioactive compounds possess plenty of health benefits, but they are chemically unstable and susceptible to oxidative degradation. The application of pure bioactive compounds is also very limited in food and drug formulations due to their fast release, low solubility, and poor bioavailability. Encapsulation can preserve the bioactive compounds from environmental stresses, improve physicochemical functionalities, and enhance their health-promoting and anti-disease activities. Scope and approach Micro and nano-encapsulation based techniques and systems have great importance in food and pharmaceutical industries. This review highlights the recent advances in micro and nano-encapsulation of bioactive compounds. We comprehensively discussed the importance of encapsulation, the application of biopolymer-based carrier agents and lipid-based transporters with their functionalities, suitability of encapsulation techniques in micro and nano-encapsulation, as well as different forms of improved and novel micro and nano-encapsulate systems. Key findings and conclusions Both micro and nano-encapsulation have an extensive application, but nano-encapsulation can be a promising approach for encapsulation purposes. Maltodextrin in combination with gums or other polysaccharides or proteins can offer an advantageous formulation for the encapsulation of bioactive compounds by using encapsulation techniques. Electro-spinning and electro-spraying are promising technologies in micro and nano-encapsulation, while solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructure lipid carriers are exposing themselves as the promising and new generation of lipid nano-carriers for bioactive compounds. Moreover, phytosome, nano-hydrogel, and nano-fiber are also efficient and novel nano-vehicles for bioactive compounds. Further studies are required for the improvement of existing encapsulate systems and exploring their application in food and gastrointestinal systems for industrial application.

Advances in micro and nano-encapsulation of bioactive compounds using biopolymer and lipid-based transporters

Background Nanotechnology applications can be found in agricultural production, animal feed, food processing, food additives and food contact materials (hereinafter referred to as agri/feed/food). A great diversity of nanomaterials is reported to be currently used in various applications, while new nanomaterials and applications are reported to be in development. Scope and approach It is expected that applications of nanomaterials in agri/feed/food will increase in the future and thereby increase the human and environmental exposure to such materials. To gain up-to-date knowledge we explored and reviewed the already marketed and in-development applications of nanomaterials in the agri/feed/food sectors upon the request of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). In this paper the results of the project are highlighted and discussed in more detail. Key findings and conclusions The majority of the applications of nanomaterials that we identified concerned application in food as food additives and food contact materials, while much fewer applications seem to be developed for agriculture and feed. Nano-encapsulates, silver, titanium dioxide and silica are the most often mentioned nanomaterials in the literature. About half of the identified applications are claimed to be already in use. In-development applications are found for nano-encapsulates and nano-composites in novel foods, food and feed additives, biocides, pesticides and food contact materials.

Nanomaterials for products and application in agriculture, feed and food

Regulatory aspects of nanotechnology in the agri/feed/food sector in EU and non-EU countries.

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2903/sp.efsa.2014.EN-621

Inventory of Nanotechnology applications in the agricultural, feed and food sector

Nanotechnology can contribute to the development of innovative applications in the agriculture, food and feed sector by e.g. enabling improved delivery of nutrients or increased efficacy of agrichemicals. It is expected that applications will increase in the near future and may therefore become a relevant source of human exposure to nanomaterials (NM). To gain more up-to date information, RIKILT and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) were commissioned by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to prepare an inventory of currently used and reasonably foreseen applications of NM in agriculture and food/feed production and carried out a review of regulatory aspects concerning NM in both EU and non-EU countries. An analysis of the information records in the inventory shows that nano-encapsulates, silver and titanium dioxide are the most frequent type of NM listed and that food additives and food contact materials are the most frequent types of application. A comparison between marketed applications and those in development indicates a trend from inorganic materials (e.g. silver) towards organic materials (nano-encapsulates, nanocomposites). Applications in novel food, feed additives, biocides and pesticides are currently mostly at a developmental stage. The review of EU and non-EU legislation shows that currently a few EU legal acts incorporate a definition of a nanomaterial and specific provisions for NM, whereas in many non-EU countries a broader approach is applied, which mainly builds on guidance for industry.

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/617/1/012032/pdf

Maria Arena

Papers

Nanomaterials for products and application in agriculture, feed and food

Regulatory aspects of nanotechnology in the agri/feed/food sector in EU and non-EU countries.

Inventory of Nanotechnology applications in the agricultural, feed and food sector

Nanomaterials in Food - Current and Future Applications and Regulatory Aspects