In today’s era, Holograms have invaded several different sectors, from the driver’s license to product packaging to credit cards. Now, the world might see edible holograms in the food market as well. This is because researchers have recently developed a laser-oriented method that can print nano-structured holograms on dried corn syrup films. This is a significant development in the Hologram Market as the edible hologram that is produced might also be used to certify food safety, indicate sugar content, or label a product. This research is a way to find a versatile, safe, and fast way to edible pattern holograms onto several types of food.
Typically, holograms are imprinted through lasers upon metal surfaces such as aluminum. However, materials aren’t edible. For this reason, many have proposed that holograms should be made of nanoparticles where food is concerned. The problem with this, though, is that tiny particles may generate reactive oxygen species resulting in harm for people who consume these holograms. Looking at this drawback, food scientists have tried to mold edible holograms onto chocolate, but this process can be used only for some types of confection, and a different mold would have to be made as per each hologram design.
In order to develop this method, the team produced a solution that consists of water, corn syrup, and vanilla. After this, they dried it into a thin film. The film was coated with a fine layer of the non-toxic black die. Finally, the team used a technique referred to as direct laser interference patterning so that most of the dye could be etched off. This resulted in the emergence of raised nanoscale lines that formed a diffraction grating.
Whenever the nanostructure gets hit by light, it diffracts the light into a rainbow pattern, leading to different colors appearing at different angles. The researchers involved can manipulate the intensity and range of colors in these holograms. It can be done by varying the spacing present in-between the lines in the sugar or grating content of the corn syrup film. However, it is essential that before these edible holograms get stocked up in stores, the researchers can change the black dye used in these pilot experiments into a food-grade dye. This will further ensure that the hologram food is safe for human consumption and would not lead to any side effects.
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