PRESENTPRESENT

AND

Nanotechnology in Nanotechnology in the food industrythe food industry

What is What is nanotechnology?nanotechnology?Oxford diaries: Oxford diaries: “the branch of technology that “the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than hundred nanometers, especially the than hundred nanometers, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and manipulation of individual atoms and molecules”molecules”

One billionth of a meterOne billionth of a meter

New properties emerge at the nanoscaleNew properties emerge at the nanoscale

Nanotechnology Nanotechnology in the food in the food

industryindustryNanocapsulesNanocapsules

Nanotechnology in food packagingNanotechnology in food packagingSmart food packagingSmart food packaging

NanocapsulesNanocapsulesThey are synthetic colloidal systems of They are synthetic colloidal systems of the vesicular typethe vesicular type

They consist of a central lipophilic core, They consist of a central lipophilic core, in which an active substance can be in which an active substance can be incorporatedincorporated

They are already used in the food They are already used in the food industry to modify the structure of foodindustry to modify the structure of food

Nanotechnology Nanotechnology in food packagingin food packaging

Advantages compared with normal Advantages compared with normal plastic:plastic:

Improve mechanical strengthImprove mechanical strength

Reduce weightReduce weight

Increase the heat resistanceIncrease the heat resistance

Improve the barrier against oxygen, CO₂ Improve the barrier against oxygen, CO₂ and moistand moist

Antimicrobial activityAntimicrobial activity

Increase shell lifeIncrease shell life

Nanotechnology Nanotechnology in food packaging in food packaging

(2)(2)Carbon nanotubes:Carbon nanotubes:Improve its mechanical propertiesImprove its mechanical properties

Powerful antimicrobial effectsPowerful antimicrobial effectsE.coliE.coli died immediately by direct contact died immediately by direct contact

Smart food Smart food packagingpackaging

Alerts the costumer for:Alerts the costumer for:Contamination or the presence of Contamination or the presence of pathogenspathogens

Oxygen that gets inside the packagingOxygen that gets inside the packaging

Nanoparticles can block oxygen, CO₂ Nanoparticles can block oxygen, CO₂ and moistureand moisture

Bio switchBio switch

Self cleaning Self cleaning

Cholesterol Cholesterol What is cholesterol?What is cholesterol?

DefinitionDefinition

2 important roles2 important roles

2 types of cholesterol2 types of cholesterolHigh density lipoprotein(HDL) High density lipoprotein(HDL) good good

Low density lipoprotein (LDL) Low density lipoprotein (LDL) bad badLDL will accumulate in the arteriesLDL will accumulate in the arteries

The blood circulation will be disturbedThe blood circulation will be disturbed

Connection between cholesterol and Connection between cholesterol and nanocapsulesnanocapsules

Accumulation in the Accumulation in the arteryartery

Nanocoatings in Nanocoatings in the food industrythe food industryProtection to floors, worktables, Protection to floors, worktables, machines,…machines,…

Hygienic and save Hygienic and save

Developed by Idétrading under the Developed by Idétrading under the name Lotuxname Lotux

The production of The production of coatingscoatings

Manipulating moleculair structure of Manipulating moleculair structure of teflon with nanotechnologyteflon with nanotechnology

Different steps Different steps 1)1) Nanoparticles arrange themselve Nanoparticles arrange themselve

(intelligent way) (intelligent way)

2)2) Binding components will move over the Binding components will move over the surface (protection against degeneration)surface (protection against degeneration)

3)3) Ultrathin transparant layer will be formed Ultrathin transparant layer will be formed

AdvantagesAdvantagesProtects surfaces from bacteria’s, fats, oils, Protects surfaces from bacteria’s, fats, oils, moist,…and no quick attachement.moist,…and no quick attachement.

Isolates materialIsolates material

Easier cleaning then before (environmental Easier cleaning then before (environmental friendly)friendly)

Positive effect on the life span of materialPositive effect on the life span of material

Costs in company are not so high anymoreCosts in company are not so high anymore

……

Public perceptionPublic perceptionKnowledge is limitedKnowledge is limited

In Europe, public isn’t optimisticIn Europe, public isn’t optimistic

Trust is bigger in food packaging as in Trust is bigger in food packaging as in nanofoodnanofood

The social trust is very important!The social trust is very important!

ConclusionConclusionIt’s a great inventionIt’s a great invention

Lots of advantagesLots of advantages

Problem is the public perceptionProblem is the public perception

Thank you for your Thank you for your attentionattention

Francois Dubs, Geoffrey Meurnier, Maxime Vander Francois Dubs, Geoffrey Meurnier, Maxime Vander Elst,Elst,

Sarah Massei, Veerle Sajdl, Vincent van Veghel, Sarah Massei, Veerle Sajdl, Vincent van Veghel, Maxim VerbovenMaxim Verboven