Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food Systems Dr. Norman R Scott Biological & Environmental Engineering

Transcription

1 Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food Systems Dr. Norman R Scott Biological & Environmental Engineering Cornell University nrs5@cornell.edu Sede della conferenza Universitá delgi Studi di Milano Facoltá di Medicina Veterinaria March 26, 2010

2 Evolution of nanotechnology in agriculture and food Agriculture not a part of the original 1999 Report which led to the creation of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) Recent meeting in Chicago, March 9 & 10, 2010 to create a new vision & direction for nanotechnology for next decade ( ). Nanoscale science and engineering for agriculture and food is included (I hope!)

3 $ m illio ons NNI expenditures* have grown from $464 million in FY 01 to more than $1.6 billion in FY Year * All numbers shown above are actual spending, except 2009, which is estimated spending for the current year (including $140 million in ARRA funding), and 2010, which is requested amount for next year.

4 Brief Background Agric/Food Significance of agriculture/food industry Price of food-borne illnesses The Agri-food System Road mapping exercise (Nanoscale Science and Engineering for Agriculture and Food System)

5 Economic Impact The total spent for all food consumed in the U.S. was $1,165.3 billion dollars in 2008, a 3.3 percent increase from $1,128.0 billion in The ERS/USDA indicates that spending on food away from home was 48.5% of the $1,165.3 billion in total food expenditures in 2008 spending for food at home was 51.5%. Families spent 9.8 percent of their disposable personal income on food as disposable personal income continues to climb, the share spent on food declines.

6 USA pays price for foodborne illness: $152B/year Estimates 76 M food-related illnesses per year 325,000 hospitalizations 5,000 deaths Costs include an estimation of medical services, deaths, lost work and disability campylobacter, salmonella, listeria (largest) Scharff, The Health Related Costs of Foodborne Illiness,

7 Over the next two decades, the impact of nanoscale convergence on farmers and food will exceed that of farm mechanization or that of the Green Revolution etc group

8 Organizing Principle: Agrifood Supply Chain Input Supply Farming/ Ranching Processing Retail Wholesale Transport At home Various types and combinations of nanotechnologies may be applied at any given point along supply chain.

9 A National Planning Workshop: NANOSCALE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS Workshop November 2002 Report September Norman R. Scott, Cornell University Hongda Chen, USDA

10 NRI 75.0 Funding Statistics FY * 2008** Submission Funded Suc. Rate 11% 11% 18% 27% Total ($M) Young Sci 5(asst.prof) LGUs Others *The revised RFA based on the logic model for ten year program planning. **Combined two year funding for a singly solicitation.

11 Present / Future Directions for Nano- technology in Agriculture and Food Systems The re-engineering of crops, animals and other living systems at the genetic and cellular level Development of efficient, smart and self-replicating production technologies and inputs Development of tools and systems for identification, tracking & monitoring Manufacture new materials and modify crops, animals & food products

12 Present / Future Directions for Nano- technology in Agriculture and Food Systems Food quality and safety Animals health monitoring Plant systems Environmental applications Social and ethical issues

13 Present / Future Directions for Nano- technology in Agriculture and Food Systems Food quality and safety presence of residues, trace chemicals, viruses, antibiotics, pathogens, toxins, integrated, rapid DNA sequencing to identify genetic variation and GMO s, integrity of food during production, transportation and storage reduce calories while retaining flavor, lowered fat, reduced salt, less sugar, improved texture enhancing bioavailability and delivery of neutraceuticals, increased vitamin and nutrient content improvements in food manufacturing processes advances in food packaging and food contact materials for quality assessment and enhanced shelf life (eliminate need for refrigerated storage)

14 Present / Future Directions for Nano- technology in Agriculture and Food Systems Animal Health monitoring & management developmental biology, presence of residues, antibiotics, pathogens, toxins, disease detection, diagnosis, therapy and prevention, (example 3/25 of bovine tuberculosis in beef herd 67 farms w/in 10 mile radius have to be tested) integrated health monitoring/ with therapeutic intervention identity tracking lessen greenhouse gas emissions from livestock and manure management

15 Present / Future Directions for Nano- technology in Agriculture and Food Systems Plant Systems smart field systems to detect, locate, report and direct application of water precision and controlled release of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides bio-selective surfaces for early detection of pests and pathogens laboratory-on-a-chip proteomics technology for microbial biocontrol agents development of enhanced plant characteristics of drought resistance, salt tolerance, excess moisture tolerance

16 Present/Future Directions for Nano- technology in Agriculture and Food Systems Environmental applications nanophase soil additives (fertilizers, pesticides and soil conditioners) nanoparticles in transport and deliver bioavailabilty of nutrients to plants understand soil as a complex nanocomposite land, water and air pollution (detection and remediation) tracking hydraulic and nutrient flows in the landscape

17 Goals for the next decade Successful nanobiotechnology sensors for identification of pathogens, toxins and bacteria in foods, plants & animals Effective systems for delivery of micronutrients, nutraceuticals and vitamins in foods for enhanced human health Nanoscale films for food packaging and contact materials that extend shelf life, retained quality and reduce cooling requirements

18 Goals for the next decade Identification systems for tracking animal and plant materials from origination to consumption Development of nano-based foods with less calories while retaining flavor, lowered fat, reduced salt, less sugar and improved texture Integrated systems for sensing, monitoring and active response intervention for plant and animal production Personalized nutrition to meet very specific individualized health needs Plants / animals develop nano-based systems for bioenergy (e.g. photosystems)

19 Barcode decoding via fluorescent microscopy 3G/1R 4G 1G/3R 2G/2R 4R 3G/1R 2G/2R 1G/3R Y. Li, Y. Cu and D. Luo, Nature Biotechnology, 23, , (2005) Um. et. al. Nature Protocols

20 Long range (end of 2100) goal Way down the road one can envision that food could be produced by a bottoms up nanobiotechnology approach through a building of molecules, atom by atom!! Not likely to happen very soon, but after all food is just an assemblage of molecules arranged in a specific structure.

21 Barriers to advancements Potential rejection by public Food is socially very sensitive Shoot it in my veins but don t make me eat it. Lack of regulations? standards? A need or not because GRAS foods Public perception reactive engagement Little to no participation in technical applications, product development Insufficient research funding to capitalize on potential opportunities Resistance of food companies to engage & communicate about their research & products

22 Barriers to advancement Unknown effects on environmental, health and biodiversity? Where do particles go? Ownership and control issues? Who benefits? Poor are most vulnerable. Consolidation of corporate power, marginalizes farmers rights Lack of effective public/private partnerships (companies, academe & gov t)

23 AFRI: Nanoscale Science and Engineering FY 2009 Priorities Anticipated Major Changes in FY 2010 Nanoscale recognition, reception, and transmission mechanisms and novel materials for developing nanobased sensors specifically for targets important to food safety and agriculture biosecurity. Novel nanoscale processes, materials, and systems with improved delivery efficacy, controlled release, modification of sensory attributes, and protection of micronutrients and functional ingredients suitable for food matrices. Understanding nanoscale phenomena and processes to support the development of nano-based technologies for food and agricultural product quality monitoring, identity tracking, and preservation. NEW: Assessment and analysis of perceptions and acceptance of nanotechnology and nano-based products by the general public, agriculture, and food stakeholders using appropriate social science tools. 23

24 Disease Diagnosis & Treatment Nanosized, multipurpose sensors are being developed to detect almost everything from physiological parameters (blood pressure, temperature, heart and respiration rates, ph, etc.) to toxic compounds. The veterinarian will be able to know the status of every animal s physiological condition and levels of certain compounds. The implantable sensor once swallowed or implanted will continue to send data through out the life of the animal and later after slaughter to track animal products. Cornell Work (ECE)

25 Identity Preservation Identity Preservation (IP) is a system that creates increased value by providing consumers with information about the practices and activities used to produce agricultural, particularly, animal products. Keys are biodegradable sensors for a historical Keys are biodegradable sensors for a historical record of both physical and biological parameters. The future of the meat industry may well depend on an ability to track the product from birth through growth and through movement from farm to slaughter through processing to packaging and ultimately to the consumer s table.

26 Animal Breeding The nanotubes are used as a means of tracking estrus in animals because the nanotubes have the capacity to bind and detect the estradiol antibody at the time of estrus by near infrared fluorescence. The signal from this sensor will be incorporated as a part of a central monitoring and control system to actuate breeding. The natural follow up would be to have an implanted nanocapsule of semen triggered on demand to fertilize an egg.

27 CONCLUSIONS (Nanobiotech) An enabling technoloy Revolutionize veterinary science Many examples of possibilities (primarily from medicine) Existing research demonstrates introduction of nanoshells & nanotubes Building blocks exist and can/will/are being integrated into commercial products Food safety/health & social and ethical issues can delay or derail advancements

28 Evolution of Technologies Nanotechnology mance Perform Vacuum Tube Technology Television Radar Semiconductor Technology Cell Phon es Transistor Radio Nano-Robots Molecular Electronics Wearable Wireless Internet Appliances The Internet Computers Radio Time Cooper, 2001