Structural Regulation Strategies for Functional Food Preservation Applications of Engineered Nanoparticle Bigels

WEN Qiuju; XUE Xinyue; LIN Guitian; LU Ying; DENG Yun; ZHONG Yu

doi:10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.13.022

PDF(469 KB)

Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (13) : 192-200. DOI: 10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.13.022

Agro-products Preservationand Food Packaging

Structural Regulation Strategies for Functional Food Preservation Applications of Engineered Nanoparticle Bigels

WEN Qiuju^1,2, XUE Xinyue¹, LIN Guitian¹, LU Ying^2*, DENG Yun¹, ZHONG Yu^1*

Author information +

History +

Abstract

The work aims to analyze the routes and action mechanisms of nanoparticles in the engineering regulation of the bigel structure, explore the crucial role of nano-engineering strategies in promoting the bigel preservation effect, clarify the possibility for constructing effective physical barriers and enabling the controlled release of bioactive compounds, so as to advance the practical utilization, the continuable development, and the unification of standards of nanocomposite bigels in the intelligent food package and freshness supervision technologies. A comprehensive review was conducted on the recent progressing of nanocomposite bigel investigation. Various approaches for incorporating nanomaterials and their influences on the bigel microstructure, rheological behavior, indicator stability, and sensing performance were analyzed. The current applications of nano-engineered bigels in the preservation of meat, seafood, and fresh produce were summarized. Although the traditional bigels have good prospects in food preservation application due to their distinctive biphasic structure, their actual application has been limited by interface instability and insufficient mechanical properties. The incorporation of nanoparticles brings changes from conventional macroscopic blending to a new stage centered on microstructure engineering. The current technological challenges are analyzed and future research directions are outlined to direct the development of nano-engineered bigels for advanced food preservation applications.

Key words

bigels / nanoparticles / structural regulation / functionalization / food preservation

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

WEN Qiuju, XUE Xinyue, LIN Guitian, LU Ying, DENG Yun, ZHONG Yu. Structural Regulation Strategies for Functional Food Preservation Applications of Engineered Nanoparticle Bigels[J]. Packaging Engineering. 2026, 47(13): 192-200 https://doi.org/10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.13.022

References

[1] 张倩, 蒋玲, 王启明, 等. 双凝胶在食品领域:从组成到应用[J]. 食品科学, 2024, 45(6): 277-284.
ZHANG Q, JIANG L, WANG Q M, et al.Bigels in Food Field: From Composition to Application[J]. Food Science, 2024, 45(6): 277-284.
[2] 屈琳杭, 李星月, 赵玉凤, 等. 新型脂肪替代品双凝胶(Bigels)的研究进展[J]. 食品工业科技, 2025, 46(11): 369-378.
QU L H, LI X Y, ZHAO Y F, et al.Research Progress on Novel Fat Substitutes: Bigels[J]. Science and Technology of Food Industry, 2025, 46(11): 369-378.
[3] ALMEIDA I F, FERNANDES A R, FERNANDES L, et al.Moisturizing Effect of Oleogel/Hydrogel Mixtures[J]. Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 2008, 13(6): 487-494.
[4] KARIMIDASTJERD A, CETINKAYA T, TARAHI M, et al.Novel Approaches in Food Grade Bigels Properties and Applications: A Review[J]. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024, 283: 137424.
[5] SHAKEEL A, FAROOQ U, IQBAL T, et al.Key Characteristics and Modelling of Bigels Systems: A Review[J]. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 2019, 97: 932-953.
[6] CHAO E P, LI J W, DUAN Z H, et al.Bigels as Emerging Biphasic Systems: Properties, Applications, and Prospects in the Food Industry[J]. Food Hydrocolloids, 2024, 154: 110089.
[7] CHO K, TARTÉ R, ACEVEDO N C.Development and Characterization of the Freeze-Thaw and Oxidative Stability of Edible Rice Bran Wax-Gelatin Biphasic Gels[J]. LWT, 2023, 174: 114330.
[8] HAN L J, CHEN F, QIU Y H, et al.Development and Characterization of Hydrogel-in-Oleogel (Bigel) Systems and Their Application as a Butter Replacer for Bread Making[J]. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2024, 104(4): 1920-1927.
[9] VERSHKOV B, DAVIDOVICH-PINHAS M.The Effect of Preparation Temperature and Composition on Bigel Performance as Fat Replacers[J]. Food & Function, 2023, 14(8): 3838-3848.
[10] CLÍMACO G N, FASOLIN L H. Effect of the Gelling Mechanism on the Physical Properties of Bigels Based on Whey Protein Isolate[J]. Food Research International, 2024, 176: 113784.
[11] KANG J, IMM J Y.Protein-Fiber Bigels from Foam-Templated Oleogels Enhance Gluten Structure in Bread as a Sustainable Butter Substitute[J]. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025, 333: 148960.
[12] FRANCAVILLA A, CORRADINI M G, JOYE I J.Bigels as Delivery Systems: Potential Uses and Applicability in Food[J]. Gels, 2023, 9(8): 648.
[13] FERNANDES A S, JACOB-LOPEZ E, ZEPKA L Q, et al.Carotenoid Bioaccessibility in Food-Grade Bigels: Impact of Hydrogel: Oleogel Ratio and 3D Printing[J]. Food Chemistry, 2026, 509: 148579.
[14] KAIMAL A M, SINGHAL R S.A Bigel Based Formulation Protects Lutein Better in the Gastric Environment with Controlled Release and Antioxidant Profile than Other Gel Based Systems[J]. Food Chemistry, 2023, 423: 136304.
[15] CHEN Z J, BIAN F Y, CAO X Y, et al.Novel Bigels Constructed from Oleogels and Hydrogels with Contrary Thermal Characteristics: Phase Inversion and 3D Printing Applications[J]. Food Hydrocolloids, 2023, 134: 108063.
[16] QIU R K, LIU X W, TIAN H, et al.Exploration of Bigel 4D Printing with Spontaneous Colour Change for Monitoring Bio-Actives Kinetic Behaviour Based on the Dual-Units 3D Printer[J]. Journal of Food Engineering, 2024, 367: 111861.
[17] QIU R K, WANG K, TIAN H, et al.Analysis on the Printability and Rheological Characteristics of Bigel Inks: Potential in 3D Food Printing[J]. Food Hydrocolloids, 2022, 129: 107675.
[18] JIN L H, ZHANG S N, GAO L, et al.Development of a Lipid Bioactive-Loaded Bigel Food System for Elderly Individuals with Dysphagia[J]. Food Chemistry, 2026, 509: 148557.
[19] KANELAKI A, ZAMPOUNI K, MOURTZINOS I, et al.Hydrogels, Oleogels and Bigels as Edible Coatings of Sardine Fillets and Delivery Systems of Rosemary Extract[J]. Gels, 2022, 8(10): 660.
[20] CETINKAYA T.Evaluation of Intelligent Packaging Functions of Black Carrot Extract-Infused Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofibers[J]. Applied Surface Science Advances, 2024, 19: 100571.
[21] MARTINS A J, GUIMARÃES A, FUCIÑOS P, et al. Food-Grade Bigels: Evaluation of Hydrogel: Oleogel Ratio and Gelator Concentration on Their Physicochemical Properties[J]. Food Hydrocolloids, 2023, 143: 108893.
[22] MARTÍN-ILLANA A, NOTARIO-PÉREZ F, CAZORLA-LUNA R, et al. Bigels as Drug Delivery Systems: From Their Components to Their Applications[J]. Drug Discovery Today, 2022, 27(4): 1008-1026.
[23] ZHAI X D, SUN Y, CEN S Y, et al.Anthocyanins-Encapsulated 3D-Printable Bigels: A Colorimetric and Leaching-Resistant Volatile Amines Sensor for Intelligent Food Packaging[J]. Food Hydrocolloids, 2022, 133: 107989.
[24] CHEN Y, HUANG J, WU Y, et al.Oil-Water Interface Behavior of Tea Polysaccharide-Egg White Protein Nanoparticles and Characterization of Bigels[J]. Food Chem, 2025, 487: 144842.
[25] ZHANG R N, YANG J Y, LI J, et al.Modification of the Interface of Oleogel-Hydrogel Bigel Beads for Enhanced Stability and Prolonged Release of Bioactives[J]. Food Chemistry, 2025, 468: 142448.
[26] HAMED R, MAHMOUD N N, ALNADI S H, et al.Diclofenac Diethylamine Nanosystems-Loaded Bigels for Topical Delivery: Development, Rheological Characterization, and Release Studies[J]. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy, 2020, 46(10): 1705-1715.
[27] LI J W, SUN Y F, SHI W J, et al.Fabrication, Characterization, and in Vitro Digestion of Gelatin/Gluten Oleogels from Thermally Crosslinked Electrospun Short Fiber Aerogel Templates[J]. Food Chemistry, 2024, 454: 139804.
[28] CHEN J D, WANG Y J, CHEN X F, et al.A Simple Sol-Gel Technique for Synthesis of Nanostructured Hydroxyapatite, Tricalcium Phosphate and Biphasic Powders[J]. Materials Letters, 2011, 65(12): 1923-1926.
[29] WANG X H, SUN L N, ZHANG X Y, et al.Soy Protein Isolate-Acylated Anthocyanins Self-Assembled Nanoparticles Enhanced Bigels Physicochemical Properties: Effect of Amphiphilic Nanoparticles on the Bigels System[J]. Food Research International, 2025, 218: 116913.
[30] SHAIKH H M, ANIS A, POULOSE A M, et al.Development of Bigels Based on Date Palm-Derived Cellulose Nanocrystal-Reinforced Guar Gum Hydrogel and Sesame Oil/Candelilla Wax Oleogel as Delivery Vehicles for Moxifloxacin[J]. Gels, 2022, 8(6): 330.
[31] GUO J X, GU X Y, DU L Y, et al.Spirulina Platensis Protein Nanoparticle-Based Bigels: Dual Stabilization, Phase Inversion, and 3D Printing[J]. Food Hydrocolloids, 2023, 135: 108160.
[32] ZHU Q M, GAO J B, HAN L J, et al.Development and Characterization of Novel Bigels Based on Monoglyceride-Beeswax Oleogel and High Acyl Gellan Gum Hydrogel for Lycopene Delivery[J]. Food Chemistry, 2021, 365: 130419.
[33] BOLLOM M A, CLARK S, ACEVEDO N C.Development and Characterization of a Novel Soy Lecithin-Stearic Acid and Whey Protein Concentrate Bigel System for Potential Edible Applications[J]. Food Hydrocolloids, 2020, 101: 105570.
[34] ALVES BARROSO L, GROSSI BOVI KARATAY G, DUPAS HUBINGER M. Effect of Potato Starch Hydrogel: Glycerol Monostearate Oleogel Ratio on the Physico-Rheological Properties of Bigels[J]. Gels, 2022, 8(11): 694.
[35] HAN L J, XU Y L, ZHANG S Q, et al.Environmental Stress-Stable Bigels Structured by Sitosterol-Oryzanol and Guar Gum: Dual-Network Mechanism and Food-Relevant Applications[J]. Food Hydrocolloids, 2026, 173: 112248.
[36] JHA A, RAMA A, LADANI B, et al.Temperature and pH-Responsive Nanogels as Intelligent Drug Delivery Systems: A Comprehensive Review[J]. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 2021, 11(12): 1-16.
[37] WANG X H, ZHANG S, XU Y S, et al.Ionic Strength-Responsive Binding between Nanoparticles and Proteins[J]. Langmuir, 2018, 34(28): 8264-8273.
[38] YANG J Y, SONG J L, MIAO S, et al.Alginate-Based Gel Beads with Bigel Structures: Preparation, Characterization and Bioactive Encapsulation[J]. Food Hydrocolloids, 2024, 146: 109294.
[39] SIACHOU C, ZAMPOUNI K, KATSANIDIS E.Bigels as Fat Replacers in Fermented Sausages: Physicochemical, Microbiological, Sensory, and Nutritional Characteristics[J]. Gels, 2023, 9(4): 340.
[40] WANG H T, SUN Y D, ZHANG P J, et al.Tailoring the Properties of Bigels by Beeswax Content for 3D Food Printing, Astaxanthin Delivery, and Freshness Sensing[J]. Food Hydrocolloids, 2026, 170: 111703.
[41] LU Y, ZHONG Y, GUO X L, et al.Structural Modification of O/W Bigels by Glycerol Monostearate for Improved Co-Delivery of Curcumin and Epigallocatechin Gallate[J]. ACS Food Science & Technology, 2022, 2(6): 975-983.
[42] WALENDZIAK W, DOUGLAS T E L, KOZLOWSKA J. Biopolymer-Based Freeze-Dried Emulsion and Bigel Composites with Sambucus Nigra-Loaded Chitosan Microparticles: Novel Multifunctional Systems for Enhanced Skin Performance[J]. European Polymer Journal, 2025, 240: 114342.
[43] 李喜泉, 杨巍巍. 纳米材料在食品包装中的应用及安全性评价[J]. 包装与食品机械, 2019, 37(5): 57-62.
LI X Q, YANG W W.Application and Safety Evaluation of Nanomaterials in Food Packaging[J]. Packaging and Food Machinery, 2019, 37(5): 57-62.
[44] SARAVANA RAJ A, RAHUL R, KARTHIK P.Nanoorganogels for Encapsulating Food Bioactive Compounds[J]. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 2025, 18(1): 129-149.
[45] DHAL S, CERQUEIRA M A, KIM D, et al.Bigels: An Innovative Hybrid of Hydrogels/Oleogels for Food Applications[M]. Advances in Oleogel Development, Characterization, and Nutritional Aspects. Cham: Springer, 2024: 327-348.
[46] SINHA S S, UPADHYAY A, SINGH A, et al.Bigels a Versatile Gel Composite for Tailored Application in Food Industries: A Review[J]. Food Structure, 2024, 41: 100380.
[47] KAIMAL A M, SINGHAL R S.Bigels for Controlled Gastric Release of Ascorbic Acid: Impact on Rheology, Texture, Thermal Stability and Antioxidant Activity[J]. Food Hydrocolloids for Health, 2023, 4: 100171.