Nanoemulsions are a relatively new technology that has found significant use for delivering functional chemicals such as micronutrients, flavorings, bioactive molecules, and antimicrobial agents into food and beverage products. This article focuses on applying nanoemulsions for sustainable food processing and packaging in the food sector.
What is a Nanoemulsion?
Nanoemulsions (NEs) are non-equilibrium dispersions of at least two immiscible liquids (oil and water) with droplet sizes of 10–100 nm that are kinetically stable. These nanoemulsions have revolutionized the pharmaceutical, healthcare, skincare and food businesses. They have several remarkable properties, including small droplet size, transparency, enhanced surface area, and reduced sensitivity to chemical and physical changes, making them ideal for food formulations.
Components for the Formation of Nanoemulsions
Core-shell architecture may be used to describe nanoemulsions, and it is made up of three phases: an oil phase (lipophilic), an aqueous phase (amphiphilic), and a surfactant (emulsifier/stabilizer) in precise proportions.
The features of the phases and surfactants should be considered when making nanoemulsions. Surfactants must be carefully selected to achieve an ultra-low interfacial tension (<10-3 mN/m) at the oil/water interface, essential for producing nanoemulsions. The physical and chemical parameters of the oil phase influence the development and stability of nanoemulsions.
Approaches for the Preparation of Nanoemulsions
The size of nanoemulsions is determined by the ingredients, operating circumstances, and technique of manufacture. High-energy or low-energy procedures can be used to make nanoemulsions.
Ultrasonication, microfluidization, and high-pressure homogenization are examples of high-energy procedures that use mechanical devices to disturb the oil phase, allowing it to interact with the water phase and create tiny oil droplets.
To make oil-in-water nanoemulsions, most food industries employ high-energy technologies. Nanoemulsions are made by changing the composition or temperature of the oil-water system in low-energy approaches, including phase inversion composition and phase inversion temperature.
Applications of Nanoemulsions in Food Industry
Most bioactive food components are prone to oxidative deterioration and degradation during food processing. Some bioactive have a low solubility yet a fast metabolism, lowering their bioavailability, whereas others are volatile and sensitive to processing conditions. Utilizing nanoemulsions to encapsulate bioactive chemicals in the food matrix can solve these obstacles.
Encapsulating a bioactive chemical protects it from processing conditions and prevents it from degrading for an extended period due to light, pH, temperature, and oxidative conditions encountered during storage.
Nanoemulsions are an effective method for increasing the digestibility of food and controlling the rate of release and absorption of bioactive chemicals in the gastrointestinal system.
Also, the bioavailability of active ingredients, the pharmacological activity of certain chemicals, and the solubility of pharmaceuticals are all improved by nanoemulsions.
Nanoemulsions can encapsulate useful chemicals and active substances, such as nutraceuticals and antioxidants. Additionally, they are beneficial for the controlled release of flavor components in foods.
Nanoemulsion based Food Packaging
Nanoemulsions can be integrated into coatings and films for possible food packaging applications. Foods such as dairy products, meats, fruit and vegetables can be coated with nanoemulsion-based edible nanocoatings containing flavor and coloring components, enzymes, antioxidants, and antimicrobials agents to extend their shelf life. Coatings can also limit gas exchange, moisture and food oxidation.
Commercialization of Nanoemulsion in Food Products
Nanoemulsions have been employed in food by companies like Nestle and Unilever, as well as a few start-ups. For example, Nestle’s design aids quick and uniform thawing of frozen foods in the microwave, while Unilever utilizes nanoemulsions in ice creams to reduce fat levels from 16 to 1%.
NanoceuticalsTM Slim Shake Chocolate was developed by RBC Life sciences. It utilizes the NanoClusterTM delivery method, which encapsulates dietary supplements in a nanoscale powder. LivOn Labs has created Lypo-SphericTM Vitamin C, which encapsulates Vitamin C using smart liposomal Nanospheres®.
Future Perspectives and Challenges
Nanoemulsions containing bioactive chemicals and functional food components have significant potential in the food and beverage industries. However, food grade nanoemulsions will find broad application only if their manufacturing costs are commercially viable and they fulfill the food industry’s safety regulations.
As a result, enhancing the bioactivity of the encapsulated components is essential for increasing production capacity. Additional research should be conducted to determine the biological events and the risks associated with nanoemulsion-based delivery technologies in food goods and packaging, with the goal of guaranteeing consumer safety.
News
GHCE Concept
From the preface of the book Global Health Care Equivalency in the Age of Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine and Artificial Intelligence, Edited by Frank Boehm: Since the publication of my first book (Nanomedical Device and Systems [...]
Novartis, Ionis drug failure spurs questions
Pelacarsen didn’t protect heart health despite lowering levels of a protein particle, “Lp(a),” in a large clinical trial — a result with important implications for cardiovascular drug research. Dive Brief: An RNA drug from [...]
New injectable treatment helps the brain rebuild after stroke
Biomedical engineers at Duke University have created an injectable biomaterial that may help the brain recover from damage left behind by an ischemic stroke. In experiments with mice, the material transformed the cavity created [...]
Scientists Discover a Hidden “Immune Organ” Inside the Skull
Researchers discovered lymph node-like immune hubs inside skull bone marrow that appear to act as rapid-response centers for the brain. For decades, the brain was thought to operate largely apart from the immune system. [...]
Engineered tRNAs and lipid nanoparticles target nonsense mutation cystic fibrosis
Researchers have developed a potential new approach for treating a form of cystic fibrosis caused by so-called nonsense mutations, combining chemically modified transfer RNAs with lipid nanoparticles designed to deliver the therapy directly to [...]
New pancreatic cancer drug carries a $39,800 monthly list price
A groundbreaking treatment for one of the most common forms of pancreatic cancer has been approved in pill form by the FDA. Revolution Medicines’ oral tablet daraxonrasib, branded as Rasonque, reduced the risk of [...]
Researchers Have Discovered a New Way To Reduce Chronic Nerve Pain
A cancer-linked protein called BRAF may help drive chronic nerve pain, and existing cancer drugs targeting it reduced pain sensitivity in preclinical models. Chronic nerve pain can persist long after an injury and often [...]
Our books now available worldwide!
Online Sellers other than Amazon, Routledge, and IOPP Indigo Global Health Care Equivalency in the Age of Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine and Artifcial Intelligence Global Health Care Equivalency In The Age Of Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine And Artificial [...]
Quantum-Enabled Regenerative Health: Reimagining Wellness, Precision Health and Longevity Medicine
Introduction Healthcare is approaching a frontier where the quantum portfolio could influence not only how disease is diagnosed and treated, but how health itself is measured, modeled, predicted and preserved. Quantum computing, quantum simulation, [...]
FDA Clears First-of-Its-Kind Nonmedication Treatment for PTSD
The FDA has cleared a system that uses brain activity data to personalize magnetic stimulation for PTSD, adding a new nonmedication treatment option. Every day in the United States, approximately 17.5 veterans die by suicide, [...]
FDA approves breakthrough drug to treat advanced pancreatic cancer
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved on Wednesday a drug that could extend the survival of those with metastatic pancreatic cancer. The drug, called daraxonrasib, will be sold under the brand name Rasonque [...]
AI Decodes a Hidden DNA Signal Linked to Disease-Causing Mutations
Machine learning identifies the likely “initiator” and enables new predictions about DNA mutations that can cause disease. Every human cell depends on tens of thousands of genes being switched on at the right time [...]
Pope Leo Urges Global Response to Congo’s Deadliest Ebola Outbreak
Pope Leo called for international action to address the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The epidemic has claimed over 2,500 lives and is the nation's largest recorded outbreak. The Pope emphasized [...]
Is there a summer COVID-19 surge this year? Yep, it’s ramping up again
Hantavirus. Ebola. West Nile. Measles. And, of course, cyclospora — that stomach parasite making people miserable across the country. Americans have plenty to worry about this summer. But remember COVID-19? It may not be [...]
Natural Compound in Broccoli Could Help Treat a Rare, Incurable Neurological Disease
Swinburne researchers have discovered how broccoli could help treat an extremely rare and incurable disease that affects only about 200 Australians. A naturally occurring compound in broccoli is being investigated as a possible treatment [...]
Antibody recycling, FcRn and the next generation of biologics
FcRn plays a central role in regulating the half-life of IgG antibodies and albumin, making it a critical target in both antibody engineering and autoimmune disease therapy. This article explores the biology of FcRn, [...]
