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.

How can small

small science have
such a big impact?
http://en.epochtimes.com/news/6-2-15/38219.html
http://www.kjbeath.com.au/photos/fungi%202/Pages/Red_Fungus.html

How Big Is Nano?

This is one
nanometer!

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

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
On the next few pages well look at
nanoscience research in some of
these areas.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Pathogen, (something that can cause

a disease), and contaminant detection
Tracking crops and products
Nanodevices for molecular and cell biology
Nanoscale materials science and engineering
Environmental issues and agricultural waste
Educating the public and future workforce

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

1. Pathogen and
Contaminant Detection
Imagine using nanotechnology to
create self-healing materials or
coatings that can modify
agricultural materials or
packaging to prevent microbial
contamination;

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

Eat em Up, Then

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.
The tiny pathogens (germs) get confused and
bind to the particles instead of real cells, then
flush - out they go through the digestive
systemkeeping chickens safer and healthier
for human consumption.
If it works on chickens, whos next?
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/research/4270075.html

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.

http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=72578-nano-pathogens-sensor
http://www.thedarwinpapers.com/oldsite/number6/Number6_files/inspect1.gif

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

3.

Nanoscience in Molecular
and Cell Biology

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.

Develop surfaces that select, reject

or bond to molecules based on
nanotechnology.

And

Explore more efficient

methods of molecular
modification.

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

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

Healthy, Yet Tasty,

Donuts?
With the help of nanoscience,
some foods might be taken off
of the no-no list:
By using water instead of oil in foods to
reduce fat,

And creating textures that feel like high

fat foods in your mouth.

Wow! Im really interested in that

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

No Kidding?

Make food
packaging
edible.
Picture that!

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

Lets 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

4. Nanoscale Materials Science and Engineering

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

Nanomaterials
Engineering and materials
science at the nanoscale is
also improving agriculture
and the food industry:

Conducting research to better understand the

mechanics of nanomaterials such as selfassembly, like the self-assembled capsule on the
right.
Developing nanomaterials using DNA
as a building block, like DNA
nanowires, DNA-microelectronic
hybrids, bioseparation and biofilms.
http://nanotechnologytoday.blogspot.com/2008/04/self-assembled-materials-form-mini-stem.htm l

5.

Environmental Issues
and Agricultural Waste

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

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.

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 soils
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.

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

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?
Materials science and
engineering also uses
nanoscience to

Enhance photosynthesis,

And improve germination. Read

more about it by clicking here.
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
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?
Helmut Kaiser Consultancy NWFPA 2007 Expo, Portland OR

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.
Image: http://tiki.oneworld.net/food/food_home.html
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-4KFV3B42&_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

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

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?

http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2007/02/15/PH2007021502068.jpg
http://www.presentationalspeaking.com/images/pic_2.jpg

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-andsociety.org/commentaries/commentary_willow02.html
www.euronanotrade.com/news/Sources_of_Information.do
c
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_NanoArt%5B1%5D.ppt#357,13,Slide13
http://nanoandcommodities.wordpress.com/tag/agricultural-and-food-commodities/agricultural-inputs-fornanotechnology/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

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