The wonders of nanotechnology

Small is set to change the face of food processing sector in the near future. Express Hospitality talks about how nanotechnology can increase the shelf life of processed foods.

Nanotechnology is concerned with the production and control of materials and objects on a nano-scale, which is, to say the least, small is set to change the face of food processing sector in the near future. According to Yashnanotech, a division of Yash Management & Satellite, the implementation of nanotechnology will increase the shelf life of processed foods drastically. Nano-packaging will be able to maintain the product's freshness while nano-encapsulation technology will allow for controlled release of the core or inner material.

This technology is used in food, medicine, fragrance and scratches the snip products to protect the inner content just as an eggshell protects the inner contents. The use of nano-capsule can improve taste with their flavour burst contents or enhance the nutritional value of food through releasing vitamins. The same approach is possible in medicine. Drugs can be encapsulated or coated either to ensure their timed release or to prevent them being dissolved until they reach the target site.

Nutraceuticals are natural, bio-active chemical compound that have disease preventing or medicinal properties. To make nutraceuticals effective, they need to be absorbed and not destroyed by the digestive system, so carriers are being developed using nano-emulsions. Nano-droplets of an emulsion bind with the nutraceuticals.

One nanometer is the same as one millionth of a millimeter. The attraction of the technology is that new materials and processes, with functions and properties that cannot be achieved otherwise, can in principle be made through the accurate control at this atomic and molecular level. A recent study from Helmut Kaiser Consultancy, which looked into nanotechnology in the food industry, estimated that the world nano-food market will surge from US$ 2.6 billion today to US$ 20.4 billion in 2010, as the industry begins to realise the potential benefits.

Globally, more than 180 applications are in different developing stages and a few of them are in the market already. The nano-food market is expected to surge US$ 7 billion in the current year. Today, more than 200 companies around the world are active in R&D - US is the leader followed by Japan and China. By 2010, Asia with more than 50 per cent of the world population will be the biggest market for nano-food, led by China.