We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Progress, challenge and perspective of hydrogels application in food: a review
Summary
Researchers reviewed how hydrogels — water-absorbing polymer networks — can be engineered to detect and remove food contaminants including microplastics, heavy metals, and pesticides, as well as to extend food shelf life. While hydrogels show broad promise for food safety applications, the review notes challenges around scalability and the need for further real-world testing.
Hydrogels are adaptable materials characterized by three-dimensional polymer network structures that offer excellent structural stability, flexibility, and biocompatibility. These hydrogels can be engineered with various matrices and embedded substances to achieve a wide range of functions. This study examined the development of hydrogels and their roles in food exposure and food storage. Initially, in terms of environmental exposure, this study compared and analyzed how different types of hydrogels monitor and eliminate pollutants, categorized by pollutant type. Subsequently, the use of hydrogels for storage is thoroughly reviewed, including a comparative analysis of their mechanisms as food-preservation materials and freshness indicators. Finally, this study outlines the benefits and challenges of using hydrogels in food safety and explores their potential and future research directions in food exposure and storage.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Polymeric Hydrogels in Agriculture: Environmental Performance, Sustainability Challenges, and Future Perspectives
A review assessed the environmental performance and degradation behavior of polymeric hydrogels used in agriculture as soil moisture-retaining agents. The study raises concerns about whether these materials break down safely or contribute to microplastic accumulation in farmland soils.
Hydrogel‐based surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy for food contaminant detection: A review on classification, strategies, and applications
This review covers hydrogel-based surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates for detecting food contaminants. It is not about microplastics and is not relevant to microplastic research.
Significance of biopolymer-based hydrogels and their applications in agriculture: a review in perspective of synthesis and their degree of swelling for water holding
Researchers reviewed the development and agricultural applications of hydrogels made from natural biopolymers, which are biodegradable alternatives to synthetic plastics. These hydrogels can retain large amounts of water and deliver nutrients or active compounds to soil in a controlled way. The study suggests that biopolymer hydrogels could help improve crop yields while reducing the environmental burden of synthetic plastic materials in agriculture.
Hydrogel-based nanocomposites for enhanced environmental remediation
A review covered hydrogel-based nanocomposites engineered to adsorb and remove pollutants including microplastics from water. These materials show promise as efficient, tunable sorbents for environmental remediation applications.
Superabsorbent Hydrogels in the Agriculture and Reclamation of Degraded Areas
This review examines superabsorbent hydrogels, polymer materials that can absorb hundreds of times their weight in water, and their use in agriculture and land restoration. Researchers found that while these materials can significantly improve soil water retention and crop yields, concerns remain about chemical leaching and potential microplastic generation as they degrade. The study suggests that more research is needed on the long-term environmental safety of synthetic hydrogels in soil.