Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food Technology

Presented by: Mohd. Hashim Khan

“Green Science”

From fish to fungus, trees to turnips, potatoes to paper, green nanobiotechnology (science related to the raising of plants and animals to produce food, feed, fiber or fuel) is about more than pesticides and genetic engineering.

How can small science have such a big impact?

How can small science have such a big impact?

Where is Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food Science

Application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food Industry

1. Pathogen, (something that can cause a disease), and contaminant detection 2.    Tracking crops and products 3.    Nanodevices for molecular and cell

biology4.    Nanoscale materials science and

engineering5.    Environmental issues and agricultural

waste6.    Educating the public and future

workforce

1.  Pathogen and Contaminant Detection

Or sensors which can slow decomposition and detect pathogens before your nose does.

Imagine using nanotechnology to create self-healing materials or coatings that can modify agricultural materials or packaging to prevent microbial contamination;

Eat Me, Then…

The tiny pathogens (germs) get confused and bind to the particles instead of real cells, then “flush” - out they go through the digestive system—keeping chickens safer and healthier for human consumption.

If it works on chickens, who’s next?

•Researchers are experimenting with new pathogen-disabling nanoparticles to keep chickens healthy.

•Nano particles are added to feed and mimic cell surfaces inside the chicken.

Hand-Helds

On the other hand, scientists are working on a simple inexpensive hand-held instrument that can detect bacteria in 15 minutes using nanotechnology.

2.    Tracking Crops and Products

Traceable nanotags and food quality sensors could

Improve food quality, taste and nutritional value

Preserve foods and extend nutritional stability

Food Poisoning

scientists are eager to develop nanosized geotracers that enable users to locate precisely the origin of agricultural products.

In the wake of widespread food poisoning scares in spinach, tomatoes, cilantro, and peppers,

3.  Nanoscience in Molecular and Cell Biology

Develop surfaces that select, reject or bond to molecules based on nanotechnology.

Nanotechnology is making revolutionary changes within cells which will improve agriculture and the food industry in amazing ways.

Develop better soil additives, fertilizers, pesticides.

And…

Explore more efficient methods of molecular modification.

Identify new agriculturally-derived molecules for industrial and biomedical applications.

How nanofood is defined The term ‘nanofood’ describes food which has been cultivated, produced, processed or

packaged using nanotechnology techniques or tools, or to which manufactured nanomaterials have been added (Joseph and Morrison 2006).

Examples of nano-ingredients and manufactured nanomaterial additives include nanoparticles of iron or zinc, and nanocapsules containing ingredients like co-enzyme Q10 or Omega 3.

Dairy products, cereals, breads and beverages are now fortified with vitamins, minerals such as iron, magnesium or zinc, probiotics, bioactive peptides, antioxidants, plant sterols and soy.

Some of these active ingredients are now being added to foods as nanoparticles or particles a few hundred nanometres in size.

Healthy, Yet Tasty, Donuts?

• By using water instead of oil in foods to reduce fat,

Wow! I’m really interested in that nanotechnology!

•And creating textures that feel like high fat foods in your mouth.

With the help of nanoscience, some foods might be taken off of the ‘no-no’ list:

No Kidding?

Mask unwanted odors and flavors.

Make food packaging edible. Picture that!

Let’s Have Some Ice Cream!

Not only is nanotechnology allowing oil to be replaced by water to make foods, like ice cream, healthier.It is also developing low fat ice creams by decreasing the size of the emulsion particles that give ice-cream its texture. Using up to 90% less of the emulsion and decrease fat content from 16% to about 1%!

Eat Less, Gain More…Nutrients!

Some food and beverage products utilize nanosized-encapsulation to make the nutrients more easily absorbed by the organism (increase uptake).

http://www.nutralease.com/company.asp

Save Energy, Last Longer

Nanoscience can reduce oil use in all types of restaurants, including all fast food establishments, by half. As a result of the large surface area at the nanoscale, it can extend the useful life span of the oil and it heats up more quickly which reduces the energy required for cooking.

4. Nanoscale Materials Science and Engineering

5. Environmental Issues and Agricultural Waste

Understanding the role of nanoparticles Understanding the role of nanoparticles (inorganic and organic) in the movement (inorganic and organic) in the movement and uptake of nutrients and pollutants;and uptake of nutrients and pollutants;

And the movement and toxicity And the movement and toxicity of nanoparticles in agricultural of nanoparticles in agricultural pollution (dust, feedlot runoff); pollution (dust, feedlot runoff);

Reducing or converting animal Reducing or converting animal or plant waste into useful products.or plant waste into useful products.

Agriculture is utilizing nanotechnology as it works toward the following solutions:

Nanoscience Reducing Emissions

Nanoscience is also helping agriculture and the food industry reduce emissions from production operations.

Nanoscience Reducing Waste

Understanding the role of nanoparticles in the global carbon cycle.

Designing and developing reusable nanomaterials, such as nanocatalysts, that help reduce waste materials.

Nanotechnology Conserving Water

Understanding the role of nanoparticles in soil’s water retention.

More Nanoscience Help for Soil

Create ammonia needed in fertilizer.

Create artificial iron in water. Prevent erosion with soil

binders that hold soils together.

Clean soils using nanoparticles in water that clean the soil as they pass through it.

Fewer Pesticides With Nanotechnology

In the near future nanostructured catalysts will be available which will increase the efficiency of pesticides and herbicides, allowing lower doses to be used.

Application of nanotechnology in food packaging and food/health supplements

Going to the Nano-MarketNanofood market – $2.6 billion 2004 – $7.0 billion 2006 – Projected $20.4 billion 2010

200 companies are currently engaged in nanoproduction, but only a handful of nano food products are market-available now. I wonder what nano food will be on your plate first?

6. Educating the public and future workforce

Nanotechnology can provide foods that look and taste better, are more nutritious and safer than what we eat today.  Nanoscience is also working to

Educate the public, Develop regulations to manage and

monitor nanotechnology developments in the food industry.

Agricultural Websites

http://www.nano-and-society.org/commentaries/commentary_willow02.html

www.euronanotrade.com/news/Sources_of_Information.doc http://www.azonano.com/Industries.asp http://www.nanotechforest.org/dwnlds/Nano%20Workshop_Nano-

Art%5B1%5D.ppt#357,13,Slide 13    http://nanoandcommodities.wordpress.com/tag/agricultural-and-

food-commodities/agricultural-inputs-for-nanotechnology/ http://www.azonano.com/

SearchResults.aspIndKeyWord=Agriculture+forestry+and+fishing http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?

_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VHY-4KFV3B4