Nanotechnology can be applied in six main areas of agriculture and food technology: 1) pathogen and contaminant detection, 2) tracking crops and products, 3) nanoscience in molecular and cell biology, 4) nanoscale materials science and engineering, 5) addressing environmental issues and agricultural waste, and 6) educating the public and future workforce. Some potential applications include sensors to detect foodborne pathogens, nanotags to trace the origin of agricultural products, nanoparticles to fortify foods with increased nutrients, and nanocatalysts to make pesticides and herbicides more effective with lower doses. Overall, the speaker outlines how nanotechnology has the potential to improve food safety and quality, sustainability, and public understanding of emerging

1. Nanotechnology in Agriculture and
Food Technology
Presented by:
Mohd. Hashim Khan

3. “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 science have
such a big impact?
How can small science have
such a big impact?

5. Where is Nanotechnology in
Agriculture and Food Science

7. Application of Nanotechnology in
Agriculture and Food Industry
1. Pathogen, (something that can cause
a disease), and contaminant detection
2. Tracking crops and products
3. Nanodevices for molecular and cell
biology
4. Nanoscale materials science and
engineering
5. Environmental issues and agricultural
waste
6. Educating the public and future
workforce

8. 1. Pathogen and
Contaminant Detection
Or sensors which can slow
decomposition and detect
pathogens before your nose
does.
Imagine using nanotechnology to
create self-healing materials or
coatings that can modify
agricultural materials or
packaging to prevent microbial
contamination;

9. Eat Me, Then…
The tiny pathogens (germs) get confused and
bind to the particles instead of real cells, then
“flush” - out they go through the digestive
system—keeping chickens safer and healthier
for human consumption.
If it works on chickens, who’s next?
•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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. Food Poisoning
scientists are eager
to develop nanosized
geotracers that
enable users to locate
precisely the origin of
agricultural products.
In the wake of widespread
food poisoning scares in
spinach, tomatoes, cilantro,
and peppers,

14. 3. Nanoscience in Molecular
and Cell Biology
 Develop surfaces that select, reject
or bond to molecules based on
nanotechnology.
Nanotechnology is making revolutionary
changes within cells which will improve
agriculture and the food industry in amazing
ways.
 Develop better soil additives,
fertilizers, pesticides.

15. And…
 Explore more efficient
methods of molecular
modification.
 Identify new
agriculturally-derived
molecules for industrial
and biomedical
applications.

16. How nanofood is defined
 The term ‘nanofood’ describes food which has been cultivated, produced, processed or
packaged using nanotechnology techniques or tools, or to which manufactured nanomaterials
have been added (Joseph and Morrison 2006).
 Examples of nano-ingredients and manufactured nanomaterial additives include nanoparticles
of iron or zinc, and nanocapsules containing ingredients like co-enzyme Q10 or Omega 3.
 Dairy products, cereals, breads and beverages are now fortified with vitamins, minerals such
as iron, magnesium or zinc, probiotics, bioactive peptides, antioxidants, plant sterols and soy.
 Some of these active ingredients are now being added to foods as nanoparticles or particles a
few hundred nanometres in size.

19. Healthy, Yet Tasty,
Donuts?
• By using water instead of oil in foods to
reduce fat,
Wow! I’m really interested in that
nanotechnology!
•And creating textures that feel like high
fat foods in your mouth.
With the help of nanoscience,
some foods might be taken off
of the ‘no-no’ list:

20. No Kidding?
 Mask unwanted odors
and flavors.
 Make food
packaging
edible.
Picture that!

21. Let’s 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%!

22. 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

23. 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.

24. 4. Nanoscale Materials Science and Engineering

26. 5. Environmental Issues
and Agricultural Waste
 Understanding the role of nanoparticlesUnderstanding the role of nanoparticles
(inorganic and organic) in the movement(inorganic and organic) in the movement
and uptake of nutrients and pollutants;and uptake of nutrients and pollutants;
 And the movement and toxicityAnd the movement and toxicity
of nanoparticles in agriculturalof nanoparticles in agricultural
pollution (dust, feedlot runoff);pollution (dust, feedlot runoff);
 Reducing or converting animalReducing or converting animal
or plant waste into useful products.or plant waste into useful products.
Agriculture is utilizing
nanotechnology as it works
toward the following solutions:

27. Nanoscience Reducing
Emissions
 Nanoscience is also helping
agriculture and the food industry
reduce emissions from production
operations.

28. 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.

29. Nanotechnology Conserving
Water
Understanding the role of
nanoparticles in soil’s
water retention.

30. 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.

31. 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.
In the near future nanostructured catalysts will be
available which will increase the efficiency of
pesticides and herbicides, allowing lower doses to
be used.

33. Application of nanotechnology in food packaging and
food/health supplements

35. 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?

36. 6. Educating the public and
future workforce
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.

38. Agricultural Websites
 http://www.nano-and-
society.org/commentaries/commentary_willow02.html
 www.euronanotrade.com/news/Sources_of_Information.doc
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=Agricult
ure+forestry+and+fishing
 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?
_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VHY-4KFV3B4
 http://www.nano-and-
society.org/commentaries/commentary_willow02.html
 www.euronanotrade.com/news/Sources_of_Information.doc
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=Agricult
ure+forestry+and+fishing
 http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?
_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VHY-4KFV3B4