NMs commonly used in food industry
| ENMs | Application | Claim | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SiO2 NPs, TiO2 NPs, Fe2O3 NPs, Ag NPs | Food additives, food ingredients | TiO2 (food colorant E171) has been regulatory and used as colouring agent and flavour enhancer in food products. SAS (often referred to as SiO2) is typically used as anticaking agent to keep fluids in powder products and as carrier for flavours and fragrances in food. Ag NPs or nanosilver-coated polymers are widely applied in food packaging because of their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria. Fe2O3 is worldwide used as food additive for colouring in desserts, cakes, salmon, meat paste, etc. | [12–14] |
| Nanocomposites, ZnO NPs, AgO NPs | Food contact materials | Nanocomposites have outstanding gas-barrier properties (reducing the entry of O2 and other gases, thermal buffering, etc.) to modify plastic characteristics as active food packaging components. ZnO NPs are incorporated into food contact materials as UV-blocking and antimicrobial agents | [15–18] |
| NOMs such as nanoemulsions, nanomicelles, liposomes, etc. | Nutritional supplements | Optimal nanocarrier systems of hydrophobic substances for a higher and faster intestinal and dermal resorption and penetration of bioactive ingredients (Aquanova, NovaSOL®, Pharmanex®, NutraLease) | [19–24] |
| Nanoformulations with pesticides at nanoscale Nanoencapsulated nisin | Pesticides and biocides | Encapsulation of pesticides and biocides using NMs to improve their physic-chemical properties and to control their widespread use to ensure food safety. Nisin (E234) is the best-known bactericide so far, being used a preservative against food-borne pathogens | [25–29] |
ENMs: engineered NMs; Ag NPs: silver NPs; SAS: synthetic amorphous silica; UV: ultraviolet; NOMs: nanostructured organic materials