The current application of nanotechnology in food and agriculture

Abstract

The rapid development of nanotechnology has been facilitating the transformations of traditional food and agriculture sectors, particularly the invention of smart and active packaging, nanosensors, nanopesticides and nanofertilizers. Numerous novel nanomaterials have been developed for improving food quality and safety, crop growth, and monitoring environmental conditions. In this review the most recent trends in nanotechnology are discussed and the most challenging tasks and promising opportunities in the food and agriculture sectors from selected recent studies are addressed. The toxicological fundamentals and risk assessment of nanomaterials in these new food and agriculture products are also discussed. We highlighted the potential application of bio-synthesized and bio-inspired nanomaterial for sustainable development. However, fundamental questions with regard to high performance, low toxic nanomaterials need to be addressed to fuel active development and application of nanotechnology. Regulation and legislation are also paramount to regulating the manufacturing, processing, application, as well as disposal of nanomaterials. Efforts are still needed to strengthen public awareness and acceptance of the novel nano-enabled food and agriculture products. We conclude that nanotechnology offers a plethora of opportunities, by providing a novel and sustainable alternative in the food and agriculture sectors.

Keywords: Agriculture; Bio-inspired nanomaterial; Bio-synthesized nanomaterial; Food; Nanotechnology; Public acceptance; Regulation.

Fig. 1

Schematic illustration of food nanotechnology from scientific research to marketed product, and to consumer’s plate. Scientific research is a one-way output providing guidance for both food manufacturer to develop product, and for agencies to make regulation and legislation. Regulation and legislation play a central and core role to control marketing product and proper disposal of the waste, which, unfortunately is currently very limited globally. Public awareness and acceptance are often ignored by scientists and manufacturers, since government agency (regulation/law) and manufacturer (product/advertisement) serve as the main information source for the general public. But it is the end user who decides whether or not food nanotechnology can actually appear in consumer’s plates.

Fig. 2

The fate of engineered aluminum nanoparticles in digestion system as an example to illustrate the complexity and possible experimental workflow to assess nano-products associated risks. Reproduced with permission from Sieg et al., 2017, American Chemical Society [79].

Fig. 3

Biological snthesis and applications of nnoparticles. Reproduced with permission from Singh et al., 2016, Elsevier [100].

Fig. 4

(A). Microelectromechanical system flow sensors that mimic the anatomy and function of hair cells. a). Morphology of actual hair bundles and the schematic design of microelectromechanical system flow sensors that mimic hair cells. b). Schematic illustration of pillars that mimic the function of hair cells. c). Illustration of how pillars respond to the flow with different designing features. d). Illustration of how the nanofiber sensor generates electric charge readings in response to flow disturbances. Reproduced with permission from Asadnia et al., 2016, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License [148] (B). Schematic illustration of silk inspired, graphene based wireless pathogen sensor on tooth enamel. Reproduced with permission from Mannoor et al., 2012, Springer Nature [149].