Recent trends and applications of cellulose nanocrystals in food industry

ConclusionsThe cellulose nanocrystals have excellent physical and chemical properties and are considered as novel food ingredients and biodegradable packaging materials in food industry. Based on its small size, large surface area, high crystallinity and high Young's modulus, cellulose nanocrystals exhibited excellent mechanical properties, high thermal stability, active chemical reaction properties, and the rheological properties of shear thinning. Cellulose nanocrystals can be used as a low calorie replacement for carbohydrate additives used as thickeners, flavor carriers and suspension stabilizers in a wide variety of food products. Cellulose nanocrystals showed excellent functions in application of delivery system, which make it an ideal candidate to protect nutrients and active ingredients in food products.
Source: Trends in Food Science and Technology - Category: Food Science Source Type: research