Nanotechnology in Food Microbiology

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 February 2024) | Viewed by 7508

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Peloponnese, 24100 Antikalamos, Greece
Interests: food technology; food engineering; food safety; food quality; extra virgin olive oil; mycotoxins; fermented foods
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E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Greece
Interests: mycotoxins; nanobiotechnology; postharvest physiology and management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanotechnology has emerged as a safer and more effective alternative to conventional food microbiology techniques used to assess pathogens or enhance the shelf life of foods. Nanoparticles of silver, zinc oxide, and titanium are already being used as effective antimicrobial agents and are being incorporated in various food-related equipment and packaging materials. Nanomaterials have also been widely employed in nutraceuticals in different ways: nano-micelles for nutrient delivery, nanoencapsulation for the controlled release of nutrients (proteins, antioxidants, and flavors), and food fortification (with omega-3, fatty acids, lycopene, heme groups, beta-carotene, phytosterols).

Nanoparticles can also be used in combination with polymers leading to the formation of nanocomposites (nano barriers, nano coatings, and release tools) for different purposes such as: modification of permeability; growth of barrier properties (mechanical, thermal, chemical, and microbiological); increased resistance; production of antimicrobial surfaces or hydro- or liporepellent surfaces. These nanocomposites have enhanced antimicrobial properties and, when embedded in packaging material, provide better shelf life.

Nanotechnologies can also be employed in food control issues.

This Special Issue aims to collect and publish recent reviews and research articles related to all the issues described above.

Prof. Dr. Theodoros Varzakas
Dr. Sofia Agriopoulou
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanoparticles
  • nano-micelles for nutrient delivery
  • nano-encapsulation for the controlled release of nutrients
  • food fortification
  • nano barriers
  • nano coatings
  • contaminants determination
  • bioactive compounds determination
  • pathogens
  • food safety
  • food security
  • food control

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

25 pages, 1282 KiB  
Review
Application of Encapsulation Strategies for Probiotics: From Individual Loading to Co-Encapsulation
by Sofia Agriopoulou, Maria Tarapoulouzi, Theodoros Varzakas and Seid Mahdi Jafari
Microorganisms 2023, 11(12), 2896; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11122896 - 30 Nov 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5720
Abstract
Consumers are increasingly showing a preference for foods whose nutritional and therapeutic value has been enhanced. Probiotics are live microorganisms, and their existence is associated with a number of positive effects in humans, as there are many and well-documented studies related to gut [...] Read more.
Consumers are increasingly showing a preference for foods whose nutritional and therapeutic value has been enhanced. Probiotics are live microorganisms, and their existence is associated with a number of positive effects in humans, as there are many and well-documented studies related to gut microbiota balance, the regulation of the immune system, and the maintenance of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Hence, probiotics are widely preferred by consumers, causing an increase in the corresponding food sector. As a consequence of this preference, food industries and those involved in food production are strongly interested in the occurrence of probiotics in food, as they have proven beneficial effects on human health when they exist in appropriate quantities. Encapsulation technology is a promising technique that aims to preserve probiotics by integrating them with other materials in order to ensure and improve their effectiveness. Encapsulated probiotics also show increased stability and survival in various stages related to their processing, storage, and gastrointestinal transit. This review focuses on the applications of encapsulation technology in probiotics in sustainable food production, including controlled release mechanisms and encapsulation techniques. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanotechnology in Food Microbiology)
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