title: Nanotechnology in the development of novel functional foods or their package. An overview based in patent analysis.
abstract: In recent years nanotechnology has become a significant component in food industry. It is present in all food chain steps, from the design of new ingredients or additives, to the most modern systems of food quality methods or packaging, demonstrating the great potential of this new technology in a sector as traditional as food. However, while interest by industry in nanotechnology increases, the rejection by consumers, concerned about the potential risk, does too. The aim of this review is to evaluate the development of food nanotechnology by means of a patent analysis, highlighting current applications of nanotechnology along the whole food chain and contextualizing this evolution in the social scene.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación e Innovación Alimentaria CUINA, Departamento de Tecnologia de Alimentos, Universidad Politecnica de Valencia, C/ Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia 46022, Spain.
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pérez-Esteve
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bernardos
authors.forename: Ramón
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez-Máñez
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Barat
mesh_terms: D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004032:Diet; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000379:methods*; D005518:Food Preferences; D055951:Functional Food; D006801:Humans; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010330:Patents as Topic