Recent Advances in the Application of Microfluidic Technology in Food Science

Microfluidics, an emerging interdisciplinary technology, shows great potential in food research due to its precise fluid control in microchannels. Compared with conventional methods, it offers advantages such as higher throughput, faster speed, cheaper cost, and more convenient, and outperforms in detecting foodborne pathogens, pesticide/veterinary residues and allergens and in preparing emulsions. Microfluidic technology mainly includes continuous flow microfluidics (CMF), droplet microfluidics (DMF), and spinning microfluidics (SMF), among which CMF and DMF are applied most extensively. This article summarizes the latest advances in the application of CMF for food safety testing, composition analysis and smart packaging, and the application of DMF for targeted enzyme/strain screening and emulsion preparation for the encapsulation and delivery of bioactives. While some technologies are still in the laboratory stage, ongoing interdisciplinary innovations will enhance food safety, quality control and nutrition, thus driving transformative solutions for the food industry.