Nanotechnology in

food BY ALWIN LE ROUX Y9 A

What is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is science, engineering

and technology performed at the

nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100

nanometers. It manipulates the matter on an atomic, molecular and supramolecular

level.

Nanotechnology is a very new part of science and it holds huge potentials and

risks at the same time from the ability to reproduce food to self-replacing

nanorobots taking control over the world.

What is nanotechnology?

The term Nanotechnology was introduced in 1986 by Eric Drexler

who wrote “Energies of Creation”.

Benefits of nanotechnologies are very evident in many spheres of

our life from self-cleaning glass, nanoparticles that enhance our

clothing, sunscreens that contains nanoparticles of zinc oxide,

scratch-resisting coating and antimicrobial bandages to using

nano-size wires to create smaller, more powerful microprocessors to

bio-nanobatteries, liquid crystal displays. Nanotechnology has a big

future in medicine and food technology. One day nanorobots

could be programmed to perform surgeries without leaving scars.

Nanotechnology in Agriculture

Nanotechnology is wildly used in food and nutrition industries.

In those areas world is facing a several challenges such as:

Is there enough food for increasing population (sustainability);

Is food safe to consume (food quality);

Is food beneficial for health (nutritious).

Nanotechnology can target all those aspects and deliver improved

products and technologies.

Nano technological tools

Nanotechnology in food is a new and developing idea that will not

only lead to the enhancement of food for our own benefit, but also

ideas which will improve farming, cultivating, production and

packaging of food. There are many various ways in how Nano

technological applications and Nano tools will improve the four

main activities, Agriculture, Food processing, Food packaging and

Supplements.

Nanotechnological tools

Nano tools are the major contributors in

improving the four activities. These Nano tools

include: Nano capsules, Nano sensors, Nano

chips, Nano particles, antibodies, Nano clays,

Nano sized supplements and nanocochleates

(coiled nanoparticles)

Nano particle The Nano particle is able to manipulate a plant, food or animal’s

DNA. In Agriculture Nano particles are used to deliver DNA to plants,

which would change the plants behavior in growing, taste, and

looks. In Food processing Nano particles selectively bind and

remove chemicals or pathogens from food. In the future these Nano

particles would be able to achieve extraordinary goals, such as

creating food from scratch.

Nano sensor

The Nano tool, called Nano sensors are responsible for detecting

animal and plant pathogens (anything that causes a disease);

Nano sensors are also used to monitor soil quality and crop growth.

These are the only current uses for Nano sensors at the moment, so

in future there will be many other customs for Nano sensors for e.g. A

Nano sensor could be implemented in food, so once the food has

been consumed by a person, that person would be able to tell how much energy or fats was in the food and how much energy, fats

that person had put on, this can be very helpful in avoiding diseases

such as obesity, anorexia and energy deficiency.

Nano chip

The Nano chip is capable of tracking down certain objects, acting

as a brain for computers, storing data and it even might be possible

to overwrite a humans brain by using this invisible Chip.

Nano capsules Nano capsules perform certain tasks for Agriculture and food

processing. The task for Agriculture involves delivering certain

chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, vaccines, and other

agrichemicals more efficiently to crop fields, resulting in healthier

faster growing crops. Nano capsules would be used in food

processing for implementing different types of nutrients and minerals into foods for e.g. Nano capsules can be used to replace a meat’s

cholesterol with plant based steroids.

Antibodies

The main role of an antibody is to detect chemicals or foodborne

pathogens within a certain food.

Nano clays

The Nano clay protects food from becoming spoiled and prevents

oxygen absorption.

Nano size supplements

Nano sized supplements can, when consumed, increase the

absorption of nutrients.

Nanocochleates (coiled nanoparticles)

Nanotechnology based encapsulation can be used to get essential

nutrients into the body efficiently. A Nano cohleate is a Nano tool

which delivers nutrients more efficiently to cells without losing its

strength.

nanoemulsions

Using Nanoemulsions will protect the test and texture of rich food

and reduce the calories. This is great in preventing obesity that

became a big problem for the human race in recent years.

How will we benefit from Nanotechnology?

Our society, especially third world countries will benefit from

nanotechnology. In third world countries food supplies are often

limited and the poor quality of available food leads to nutritional

deficiencies. The poor quality of drinking water is a major contributor

to disease as well. In order to solve these problems we would have

to enhance our agricultural productivity and treat our water.

How will we benefit from Nanotechnology?

We have all of the Technology to prevent this situation from becoming disastrous. These technological tools range from Nano capsules which transfers agricultural chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizers, vaccines will improve the Agricultural rate and supply the soil in third world countries with nutrients that will help the soil to grow back to its original healthy state. Therefore lower classed countries will be able to grow crops and make their income and food from farming. Another issue that has to be solved is the quality of drinking water.

How will we benefit from Nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology could help meet the need for affordable, clean

drinking water through rapid, low – cost detection of impurities and

filtration and purification of water. Scientists are now developing

nanostructured filters that could remove virus cells from water; and

they are investigating a suitable method using Nano-sized fiber

electrodes to reduce the cost and energy requirements of removing

salts from water.

How will we benefit from

Nanotechnology? Another issue that needs to be appointed is keeping food in an

appropriate safe environment. Nano sensors are already starting to

be used for monitoring food quality and detecting salmonella,

pesticides, and other contaminates on food. This can prevent

people from contracting food borne diseases. With increasing

population we are faced with a problem to produce enough of

meat or fish to satisfy the demand. Therefore we need new technologies to utilize the plant protein sources more efficiently.

Nanotechnology can contribute to fulfill this demand.

Risks and challenges of nanotechnology. There is some concern that nanoparticles can be toxic and we

need to be sure that they don’t poison us. Nanotechnology may

lead to the creation of very powerful weapons and they may be

used inappropriately. Medical nanotechnology could make us

smarter, stronger by enhancing our physical ability. Is it ethical? Do

we want to stay human or do we want to become transhuman? It could create two groups of people: a wealthy modified human

race and poor unaltered people who can’t afford costly

nanotreatments. What will happen to jobs, if nanorobots will take

over?

References:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology1.html

http://www.terasemjournals.com/GNJournal/GN0301/ck1.html

http://2020science.org/2009/03/what-nanotechnology-can-do-for-

your-average-donut/

http://www.nano.gov/you/nanotechnology-benefits

http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology-in-food.php

http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v6/n11/fig_tab/nnano.2011.193_F1.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/15/us-nano-food-idUSTRE68E24W20100915