Natural deep eutectic solvent: A promising eco-friendly food bio-inspired antifreezing

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Materials Science
• Food Science

Background:

• Bio-antifreezing strategies inhibit ice nucleation but often face toxicity and manufacturing challenges.
• Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) present a promising low-toxicity alternative for bio-inspired antifreezing applications.
• Organisms exhibit remarkable cold resistance, offering insights into natural antifreezing mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current bio-inspired antifreezing strategies and cold resistance mechanisms in organisms.
• To explore the application and mechanisms of bio-inspired antifreezing natural deep eutectic solvents (Ba-NADES).
• To highlight the potential of Ba-NADES as an efficient, low-toxicity solution for the frozen food industry.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of bio-inspired antifreezing, organismal cold resistance, and Ba-NADES applications.
• Analysis of the hydrogen bond network formation in Ba-NADES under cold conditions.
• Examination of the ice nucleation inhibition and freeze injury alleviation by Ba-NADES.

Main Results:

• Ba-NADES form robust hydrogen bond networks, lowering melting points and inhibiting ice growth.
• Ba-NADES have demonstrated efficacy in alleviating freeze injury in biological systems.
• The review consolidates information on Ba-NADES mechanisms and their potential in food preservation.

Conclusions:

• Ba-NADES offer an efficient and low-toxicity approach for antifreezing in the food industry.
• Further research into the role of water in NADES antifreezing quality is crucial for broader food applications.
• This review provides a comprehensive overview of NADES antifreezing, informing future research and development.