Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
TABLE 6.1
Sectors, Applications, and Functions Developed in Nanofood Field
Sector/Application
Function
Agriculture
Nanobiotechnology
New transgenesis techniques
Synthetic DNA
Creation of new life forms based on the conception of new
nucleotides
Germination
Improvement of germination rates following nanoparticle
application
Nanofertilizers and
nanopesticides
“Protection” and controlled release of active substances
Nanocaptors
Fields and herds dubbed “intelligent”
Nanofluidic
Treatment and analysis of biological material such as DNA,
proteins, or sperm cells in minute quantities
Nanomedicine
New delivery systems for pharmaceutical substances for
veterinary treatment
Nanoculture
Transgenic plants engineered for soil mineral extraction
Nanofilters
Treatment of wastewater as well as soil and agricultural
waste
Food Transformation
Nanocaptors
Contamination detection and quality analysis
Nanostructured food
Improvement of taste, color, flavor, texture, consistency, etc.
Biocide surfaces
Integration of silver nanoparticles (and others) for their
antimicrobial properties
Nanopackaging
Improved nanopackaging
Improvement of mechanical properties (rigidity, strength,
flexibility, durability) and barrier properties (temperature,
humidity, light, oxygen and other gasses)
Active nanopackaging
Intelligent systems where an intentional substance transfer
between the packaging and the contents actively improves
or maintains product quality with the goal of prolonging
shelf life, improving or maintaining organoleptic properties;
two types: absorbers and releasers
Biocidal nanopackaging
Reduction or prevention of microbial growth enabled by
nanoparticle presence
Intelligent nanopackaging
Inclusion of nanometric captors capable of measuring certain
transport and storage conditions of food
Biodegradable or edible
nanopackaging
Packaging made from polymers and natural nanocomposites
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