RESUMO
Nano-emulsions are receiving great attention in various industries, especially in the food sector. Peculiar properties of nano-sized droplets and high surface area are most suited for the development and delivery of functional ingredients. Nano-emulsions systems are suitable for encapsulation, protection, improving bioavailability, and target release of sensitive functional compounds. Nano-emulsions have promising potential for the delivery of nutraceuticals, probiotics, flavors, and colors. Nano-emulsions with active ingredients (antimicrobials) have a key part in ensuring food safety, nutrition, and quality of food. Nanoemulsions can also be used for biodegradable coating, packaging, antimicrobial coating, and quality and shelf life enhancement of different foods. The current review includes an overview of nanotechnology nano-emulsions, materials, techniques for formulation & production of nano-emulsions for food and nutrition. Furthermore, the analytical approaches used for the characterization of nano-emulsions and finally, the applications and limitations of nano-emulsions in the food industry are discussed in detail. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05387-3.
RESUMO
Food is the basic necessity for life that always motivated man for its preservation and making it available for an extended period. Food scientists always tried to preserve it with minimum deterioration in quality by employing and investigating innovative preservation techniques. The food sector always remained in search of eco-friendly and sustainable solutions to tackle food safety challenges. Green technologies (ozone, pulsed electric field, ohmic heating, photosensitization, ultraviolet radiations, high-pressure processing, ultrasonic, nanotechnology) are in high demand owing to their eco-friendly, rapid, efficient, and effective nature in controlling microbes with a negligible residual impact on food quality during processing. The use of green technologies would be a desirable substitute for conventionally available preservation techniques. This paper discusses different food preservation techniques with special reference to green technologies to minimize the deleterious impact on the environment and employs these innovative technologies to play role in enhancing the food safety.