Today nanoparticles are a huge boon to the food industry. When placed in packaging, nanotechnology extends the shelf life of food. Detecting e coli and other food born bacteria is the domain of another nanotech particle. And yes, adding nanoparticles to packaging can make them biodegradable. And this is on the beginning.
In her article Nano What?: Yes, Nanoparticles Were Probably in Your Breakfast This Morning, Patricia L. Harman with PropertyCasualty360 explores the nanotechnology explosion and the areas where we’re all touched – most of the time without even knowing it – by the infamous nanoparticles.
Nanotechnology involves every area of daily life, and while there are many benefits to its use, there are unknown dangers as well. Best described as “engineering on a very small scale,” nanotechnology has allowed manufacturers to create products like cell phones, cameras, CDs and DVD players.
The number of industries utilizing nanotechnology has grown exponentially. The food industry is a large user of the technology. Placed in packaging, it extends the shelf life of many foods. It can add more flavor, be used to detect e coli and other bacteria in food, and even enhance nutrients. A nano-enhanced barrier protects oxygen-sensitive foods and keeps them from spoiling longer. When incorporated into “green” packaging made of lobster shells and corn, nanotechnology makes it biodegradable. And nanobarcodes can be used in products to trace foodborne outbreaks.
To read Patricia’s complete article, click here.
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