**Author details**

In the food industry, nanotechnology can be utilized in order to enhance the delivery of food ingredients to target sites, increase flavor, inhibit bacterial growth, extend product shelf life

Applications of nanomaterials that do not involve direct addition of nanoparticles to consumed foods, and thus more likely to be marketed to the public in the short term, are related to food packaging and food safety. These applications include polymer/clay nanocomposites as high barrier packaging materials, silver nanoparticles as potent antimicrobial agents and nanosen‐ sors and nanomaterial-based assays for the detection of food-relevant analytes (gases, small

Other emerging topics of nanotechnology for food and agriculture are smart delivery of nutrients, bioseparation of proteins, rapid sampling of biological and chemical contaminants and nanoencapsulation of nutraceuticals, as well as advances in technologies, such as DNA

Nano-scale cellulose fiber materials (e.g., microfibrillated cellulose and bacterial cellulose) are promising candidates for bio-nanocomposite production due to their abundance, high

Several reinforcing nanoparticles such as clays, silica or silver have been used for industrial applications, but cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are a better choice for food industry due to their biodegradable and biocompatible nature as well as their outstanding potential in improving mechanical and barrier properties of nanocomposites [70–72]. Also, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) reinforcement improved mechanical properties, except elongation of mango

The development of nanoscale systems for the encapsulation, protection and delivery of lipophilic nutrients, vitamins and nutraceuticals was recently reported [74]. A promising route to the synthesis of protein-mimetic materials that are capable of complex functions, such as molecular recognition and catalysis, is provided by peptoid nanosheets polymers structurally

The conjunction of radiation and nanotechnology for the improvement of biomaterials are drawing special interest [76]. Gamma radiation and nanocrystalline cellulose was used for the reinforcement of poly(caprolactone) composites [77]. Also, the radiation synthesis of gelatin hydrogels containing Ag nanoparticles was reported [78]. Grasielli and his group synthesized nanoparticles of seroalbumin via intramolecular cross-linking using gamma rays technology [79]. The radiation synthesis of a composite prepared from the algae polysaccharide alginate

To meet the growing demand of recyclable or natural packaging materials and consumer demands for safer and better quality foods, new and novel food-grade packaging materials or

microarrays, microelectromechanical systems and microfluidics [67, 68].

strength and stiffness, low weight and biodegradability [69].

related to biologically occurring polypeptides [75].

and clay nanocomposite was also described [80].

**6. Concluding remarks**

and improve food safety.

170 Radiation Effects in Materials

puree edible films [73].

organic molecules and food-borne pathogens) [66].

Nelida Lucia del Mastro

Address all correspondence to: nlmastro@ipen.br

Energy and Nuclear Research Institute IPEN-CNEN/SP, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
