Nanotechnology in Agriculture

and Food Technology

Food and Agriculture

Bioengineering

―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.

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/6-2-15/38219.html

http://www.kjbeath.com.au/photos/fungi%202/Pages/Red_Fungus.html

How can small science have

such a big impact?

How can small science have

such a big impact?

How Big Is Nano?

http://www.terressentials.com/exposure.html

This is one

nanometer!

http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/The_scale_of_things.html

Where is Nanoscience in

Agriculture and Food Science?

image from : http://members.ift.org/NR/rdonlyres/5F641E00-290A-4EB0-93D7-C02171FF5D17/0/1203moraru.pdf

Areas of Nanoscience Research

in Agriculture and Food Science

1. Pathogen, (something that can cause

a disease), and contaminant detection

2. Tracking crops and products

3. Nanodevices for molecular and cell biology

4. Nanoscale materials science and engineering

5. Environmental issues and agricultural waste

6. Educating the public and future workforce

On the next few pages we‘ll look at

nanoscience research in some of

these areas.

http://www.lowimpactliving.com/pages/newsletters/newsletter-green-certifications

1. Pathogen and

Contaminant Detection

Or sensors which can slow

decomposition and detect

pathogens before your nose

does.http://64.202.120.86/upload/image/news/stopping-the-bacteria-from-talking/stopping-the-bacteria1-.jpg

Imagine using nanotechnology to

create self-healing materials or

coatings that can modify

agricultural materials or

packaging to prevent microbial

contamination;

Eat ‗em Up, 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?http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/research/4270075.html

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

http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=72578-nano-pathogens-sensor

http://www.thedarwinpapers.com/oldsite/number6/Number6_files/inspect1.gif

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

http://nano.foe.org.au/image/view/222

Food Poisoning

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

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-02/ir-tfp020706.php

http://www.braintree.gov.uk/Braintree/environment/food/Food+Poisoning.htm

http://www.nfis.com.au/foodbiz/Dec2005/images/food_cafe420.jpg

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 soil conditioners.

And…

Explore more efficient

methods of molecular

modification.

http://www.jnjgateway.com/home.jhtml?loc=USENG&page=viewContent&contentId=09008b9880ec8e18&parentId=09008b9880ec8c7

http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17578&ch=nanotech

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

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:

http://www.isrealli.org/another-reason-to-trash-junk-food/

No Kidding?

Mask unwanted odors

and flavors.

http://nyc.metblogs.com/archives/images/2007/01/smelly.bmp

http://www.amazon.com/Eat-delicious-desirable-successful-packaging/dp/288046773X

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%!

http://www.mylilypads.com/images/products/me-bath-ice-cream.jpg

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.

http://files.nanobio-raise.org/Downloads/nfnaf.pdf

http://www.oilfresh.com/of1000.html

http://www.comesatradehub.com/images/products/8039972186.jpg

image: http://nanopedia.case.edu/NWPage.php?page=nanoagriculture

4. Nanoscale Materials Science and Engineering

Nanomaterials

Conducting research to better understand the

mechanics of nanomaterials such as self-

assembly, like the self-assembled capsule on the

right.

Engineering and materials

science at the nanoscale is

also improving agriculture

and the food industry:

http://nanotechnologytoday.blogspot.com/2008/04/self-assembled-materials-form-mini-stem.htm l

Developing nanomaterials using DNA as a building block, like DNA nanowires, DNA-microelectronic hybrids, bioseparation and biofilms.

5. Environmental Issues

and Agricultural Waste

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

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

Reducing or converting animal or plant waste into useful products.

Agriculture is utilizing

nanotechnology as it works

toward the following solutions:

http://www.ontariocorn.org/magazine/Issues/2006/12%20December/F1-2b-Stewart-Manure%20Equip-Fig%202b.JPG

http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/51200D74-A40B-4104-AE7E-BD2FED5F6A0E/0/pollution.jpeg

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.

http://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/LEACH/heap.htm

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.

http://files.nanobio-raise.org/Downloads/nfnaf.pdf

http://www.rsc.org/images/pesticide-300_tcm18-60750.jpg

Did We Mention?

Enhance photosynthesis,

And improve germination. Read

more about it by clicking here.

Materials science and

engineering also uses

nanoscience to

http://www.laudu.realtownblogs.com/uploads/_seed_CORB2017.JPG

http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/staff/lackey/pubs/S_I_FIG5.jpg

http://iramis.cea.fr/en/meetings/2008TheorieIRAMIS/programme.php

Another Kind of Agriculture

Uses Nanoscience

Improve fishing

practices, breeding

and antibiotics.

Remove

contaminants from

water.

Going to the Nano-Market

Nanofood market

– $2.6 billion 2004

– $7.0 billion 2006

– Projected $20.4 billion 2010

Helmut Kaiser Consultancy NWFPA 2007 Expo, Portland OR

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. Yummy AND

Healthy

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. 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-

2&_user=443835&_coverDate=10%2F31%2F2006&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000020958&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid

=443835&md5=5e50b64c59ca42a1e93b103b33d783a1

Image: http://tiki.oneworld.net/food/food_home.html

Social, Environmental and Ethical

Concerns

1. Might these nanotechnology developments in

agriculture and food technology infringe on human

rights?

2. Could any of them decrease privacy of individuals?

3. Could the use of nanotechnology for agriculture

have unwanted and negative environmental effects?

4. What economic impact could the use of

nanotechnology in agriculture have on farmers,

consumers, and other industries? Might they be

negative or positive?

What About Your Rights?

If so, are these developments

more important than

•Your privacy?

•Your rights as a citizen?

•Your rights as a human being?

Are the answers somewhere in between?

http://www.info4security.com/Pictures/web/w/v/m/iStock_Law.jpg

Planning Your

Presentation

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2007/02/15/PH2007021502068.jpg

http://www.presentationalspeaking.com/images/pic_2.jpg

To prepare for your

presentation, answer

these questions using

reference materials

which can include the

websites linked to this

webquest:

1. What can be done to

maximize the chances that

humans will benefit from,

rather than be harmed by

these new developments?

2. If we can develop these

technologies, should we?

Why?

Agricultural Websites

These are websites which are a good place to start in looking for more information on nanotechnology in the agriculture. You may also wish to use the general website page linked at the bottom of this page. It is full of nanotechnology sites related to multiple areas including yours. After exhausting these resources you may also wish to use your search engine and appropriate key words and phrases to find more information.

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

www.euronanotrade.com/news/Sources_of_Information.doc

General Nanoscience Links

More Help

If you would like help breaking down

your research into steps, click on the

help button for an outline.

http://www.nanotechproject.org/index.php?id=44&action=view&dbq=food

http://www.nanotechproject.org/index.php?id=44&action=view&product_id=1290 http://nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=4556 http://www.azonano.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1316 ‘Down on the

Farm: the Impact of Nano-Scale Technologies on Food and Agriculture’, ETC Group Report, November

2004. http://www.azonano.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1315http://www.azonano.com/Industries.asp http://www.nanotechforest.org/dwnlds/Nano%20Workshop_Nano-

Art%5B1%5D.ppt#357,13,Slide13 http://nanoandcommodities.wordpress.com/tag/agricultural-and-food-commodities/agricultural-inputs-for-

nanotechnology/http://www.azonano.com/SearchResults.aspIndKeyWord=Agriculture+forestry+and+fishinghttp://nsrg.neu.edu/resources/regulatory_capacity/documents/NanoAgFood.pdf Science

and Engineering 2003 Reportimage: http://nanopedia.case.edu/NWPage.php?page=nanoagriculture

http://www.nanotechforest.org/dwnlds/Nano%20Agriculture%20roadmap.pdf

http://www.nwfpa.org/eweb/docs/Doc-to-pdf/ExpoPage/PowellNWFPA2007.pdf

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