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Liu B, Yang H, Zhu C, Xiao J, Cao H, Simal-Gandara J, Li Y, Fan D, Deng J. A comprehensive review of food gels: formation mechanisms, functions, applications, and challenges. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2022; 64:760-782. [PMID: 35959724 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2108369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Gels refer to the soft and flexible macromolecular polymeric materials retaining a large amount of water or biofluids in their three-dimensional network structure. Gels have attracted increasing interest in the food discipline, especially proteins and polysaccharides, due to their good biocompatibility, biodegradability, nutritional properties, and edibility. With the advancement of living standards, people's demand for nutritious, safe, reliable, and functionally diverse food and even personalized food has increased. As a result, gels exhibiting unique advantages in food application will be of great significance. However, a comprehensive review of functional hydrogels as food gels is still lacking. Here, we comprehensively review the gel-forming mechanisms of food gels and systematically classify them. Moreover, the potential of hydrogels as functional foods in different types of food areas is summarized, with a special focus on their applications in food packaging, satiating gels, nutrient delivery systems, food coloring adsorption, and food safety monitoring. Additionally, the key scientific issues for future food gel research, with specific reference to future novel food designs, mechanisms between food components and matrices, food gel-human interactions, and food gel safety, are discussed. Finally, the future directions of hydrogels for food science and technology are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials, Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, Biotech & Biomed Research Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Haixia Yang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chenhui Zhu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials, Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, Biotech & Biomed Research Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianbo Xiao
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo - Ourense Campus, Ourense, Spain
| | - Hui Cao
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo - Ourense Campus, Ourense, Spain
| | - Jesus Simal-Gandara
- Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo - Ourense Campus, Ourense, Spain
| | - Yujin Li
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China
| | - Daidi Fan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials, Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, Biotech & Biomed Research Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jianjun Deng
- Institute of Vegetables and Flowers, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Degradable Biomedical Materials, Shaanxi R&D Center of Biomaterials and Fermentation Engineering, Biotech & Biomed Research Institute, School of Chemical Engineering, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
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