The role of in vitro simulated human digestion models in assessing potential exposure to nanoparticles in food: an essential tool for risk assessment of nanomaterials used in food-related applications

Cubadda, F., Aureli, F., Raggi, A., Mantovani, A.

Abstract

In the food sector, applications of nanotechnologies to (i) agricultural production, (ii) food processing, and (iii) food contact materials are rapidly developing. An appropriate nano-specific risk assessment has to be carried out for nanotechnology applications that result in the presence of nanoparticles in food. One essential issue in such an assessment is to ascertain whether there is potential for systemic exposure, i.e., if nanoparticles may persist as such after gastrointestinal digestion and be absorbed in the gut. The importance of studying the dissolution of nanoparticles under conditions representative of the gastrointestinal tract is discussed, along with the in vitro models and the analytical methods that can be used for such an undertaking.

Keywords

nanotechnology, nanomaterials, risk assessment, human dietary exposure, human digestion models

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IMEKO-TC23-2017-017.pdf

DOI

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IMEKO TC

TC23 - Metrology in Food and Nutrition

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