Edible and essential oils nanoparticles in food: a review on the production, characterization, application, stability, and market scenario.

The application of oils in the food industry is challenging, owing to their inherent factors such as oxidation. Therefore, new technologies, such as nanoencapsulation, are being developed. Among the nanoencapsulated oils, essential oils (EO) and edible oils stand out for their high consumer demand. This review analyzes the production, characterization, stability, and market scenario of edible and EO nanoparticles applied in foods. Homogenization was found to be the most common technique for producing oil nanoparticles. Different encapsulants were used, and Tween 80 was the main emulsifier. Approximately 80% of the nanoparticles were smaller than 200 nm, and the polydispersibility index and zeta potential values were satisfactory, mainly for nanoparticles containing EO, whereas encapsulation efficiency varied based on the technique and the type of oil used. Oil nanoparticles were mainly applied on meat products. The temperatures and times used in the stability tests of foods containing oil nanoparticles varied depending on the food matrix, especially in microbiological and physicochemical analyses. Only one product with nanoencapsulated oil in its composition was found in the market. Oil nanoparticles have great potential in the development of innovative, economically viable, and sustainable techniques for producing new food products that are high in nutrition value.

Novel bioactive nanoparticles from crude palm oil and its fractions as foodstuff ingredients.

Novel bioactive nanoparticles derived from crude palm oil (CPO), palm olein, and palm stearin for use in foodstuff products were produced, and their physicochemical characteristics and stability were evaluated. The nanoparticles were prepared by homogenization, using biodegradable casein or gum arabic as an encapsulating material. The encapsulation efficiency (EE), morphology, long-term stability, particle size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, pH, apparent viscosity, color parameters, total carotenoids, and antioxidant activity were determined. All nanoparticles methods produced spherical nanoparticles with EE higher than 85%. Highly homogeneous small particles (<300 nm) showing a tendency toward a yellow color were observed after 60 days of storage at 4 °C. The nanoparticles showed a carotenoid retention index higher than 40% and an antioxidant activity higher than 1,000 µM Trolox/g oil. The bioactive nanoparticles retained the carotenoids and are proposed as a green innovative product to replace synthetic colorants and antioxidants in foodstuffs.