抄録
Fine bubbles refer to bubbles less than 100 μm in diameter, and the name has been standardized by the International Organization for Standardization. These fine bubbles manifest physical and chemical properties that are different from those of easily visible millimeter- and centimeter-sized bubbles. For example, multiple fine bubbles with the same volume as a centimeter-sized bubble have a large specific surface area, which exponentially improves chemical reactions, physisorption, and substance transportation at the gas-liquid interface. They have industrial superiority and are now being considered for use in many industrial fields, leading to their introduction. In particular, fine bubbles play an advanced role in the field of cleaning. For example, oil and other hydrophobic substances are adsorbed at the gas-liquid interface with bubbles. This allows the gas-liquid interface increased by fine bubbles to efficiently remove oil from the liquid, and since this phenomenon can occur without the addition of surfactants, it is becoming established as a resource- and environmentally- friendly cleaning technology. Meanwhile, fine bubbles are now also being utilized in the food industry. As mentioned above, fine bubbles are used to clean foodstuffs, inhibit microbial growth by replacing the gas species contained in the bubbles, oxidation inhibition, and change the texture of foodstuffs. Knowledge about these technologies leads to their application. In this study, we introduce the definition of fine bubbles, their basic properties, and their potential applications in the fields of resource, environment, and food.
