Research advances of nano chitin in the food industry: Focusing on physiological mechanisms of gut modulation

초록

Background: Chitin is natural polysaccharide, and after being modified at the nanoscale, it offers benefits such as improved dispersibility. With the growth of the population and the change in dietary patterns, nano chitin (NC) has emerged as a health-conscious option, mainly showing potential in modulating gut health. Scope and approach: This review provides a detailed summary of NC's sources and preparation methods. We focus on discussing its physiological mechanisms in gut health regulation and exploring its biocompatibility and toxicity. Lastly, the paper outlines NC's applications in the food industry. Key findings and conclusions: The NC prepared by synergistic multiple methods has properties such as a high aspect ratio and high specific surface area. Furthermore, NC's gut health benefits are associated with intervention in the intestinal barrier. It also showed optimistic conclusions in biocompatibility and cytotoxicity, leading to its health benefits being applied in a variety of scenarios, such as functional food ingredients, bioactive compound delivery systems, and food contact materials. In conclusion, we aim to provide new insights and perspectives on the role of NC in the food industry.

키워드