Nanotechnology in food BY ALWIN LE ROUX Y9 A

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Betty Mills
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1 Nanotechnology in food BY ALWIN LE ROUX Y9 A

2 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.

3 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.

4 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,

5 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.

6 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)

7 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

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.

8 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.

9 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.

10 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.

11 Antibodies The main role of an antibody is to detect chemicals or foodborne pathogens within a certain food.

12 Nano clays The Nano clay protects food from becoming spoiled and prevents oxygen absorption.

13 Nano size supplements Nano sized supplements can, when consumed, increase the absorption of nutrients.

14 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.

15 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.

16 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.

17 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.

18 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.

19 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.

20 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?

21 References: _F1.html

National Consultation on Nanomaterials and Their Implications on Human Health and Environment

National Consultation on Nanomaterials and Their Implications on Human Health and Environment Opportunities & Challenges for Nanotechnology in Food John R. Dutcher University of Guelph Nano: The Science