A review on recent advances in the applications of composite Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles in the food industry

Abstract

Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their superparamagnetic properties, large specific surface area, high biocompatibility, non–toxicity, large–scale production, and recyclability. More importantly, numerous hydroxyl groups (–OH) on the surface of Fe₃O₄ MNPs can provide coupling sites for various modifiers, forming versatile nanocomposites for applications in the energy, biomedicine, and environmental fields. With the development of science and technology, the potential of nanotechnology in the food industry has also gradually become prominent. However, the application of composite Fe₃O₄ MNPs in the food industry has not been systematically summarized. Herein, this article reviews composite Fe₃O₄ MNPs, including their properties, modifications, and physical functions, as well as their applications in the entire food industry from production to processing, storage, and detection. This review lays a solid foundation for promoting food innovation and improving food quality and safety.

Keywords:

• Composite Fe₃O₄ MNPs
• modification mechanism
• physical functions
• versatile applications
• food

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of CAAS (CAAS–ZDRW202011), the China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA (CARS–23–E03), and the National Key Research Development Program of China (2020YFD1000300).