Hyderabad, Dec 7 : Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Andhra Pradesh have developed nanotechnology-based food packaging materials that enhances shelf-life, maintains quality, retains flavour and colour of packed food materials.
Nanoparticle-based materials offer a greater advantage over conventional and non-biodegradable packing materials by enhancing the functional properties of foods such as bio-availability, taste and texture.
In the paper, published in the peer-reviewed Journal of European Food Research and Technology, the team emphasised the role of nanoparticles to provide mechanical stability to packing material and shows how the nano-sensors can be developed to detect pathogens, contamination, pesticides, and allergens and enhances the antimicrobial properties of packing material to prevent food spoilage and contamination.
“In addition to this, the role of inorganic nanoparticles in food preservation is to increase shelf-life and release of antioxidants protecting the food from harmful ultraviolet radiations.In a statement, Dr.Tingirikari Jagan Mohan Rao (Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology at NIT Andhra Pradesh) said that the research also addresses food safety issues related to nanomaterials.
The paper also discusses the role of different government agencies in addressing safety issues and bringing the legislation and regulations regarding the use and application nanomaterials.
It highlights how bio-based polymers can be blended with nanoparticles to make more efficient and effective packing materials.
“Very less amount of work has been done to evaluate the toxic effects of nanoparticles on mammalian cells under in-vivo conditions.Inorganic nanoparticles can be insoluble and pose a challenge in bioaccumulation in human cell, which could cause biotoxicity on the longer-term, thus hampering their use in the food processing sector,” stated Dr.Punuri Jayasekhar, Pachhunga University College at Mizoram University in the statement.
Nanotechnology is an emerging area of research as its application is growing day-by-day in various sectors including food and agriculture due to their wide physical, chemical, and biological properties which are functionalised with several biomolecules to enhance the properties of packing and storage materials.
The applications of nanotechnology at the global level are estimated to be around $3 trillion.
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