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Suresh Neethirajan and Digvir Jayas

The Canadian Wheat Board Centre for Grain Storage Research

5th CIGR International Technical Symposium on Food Processing, Monitoring Technology in Bioprocesses

and Food Quality Management31 August 2009, Postdam, Germany

E-mail: suresh.neethirajan@gmail.com

Nanotechnology for Food and Bioprocessing Industries

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Source: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Biologically inspired photochemical device

• Nanoscale photodiode from spinach leaves

• Rechargeable energy source

Spinach May Soon Power Mobile Devices!

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“ ability to work at the atomic, molecular and even sub-molecular levels in order to create and use material structures, devices

and systems with new properties and functions”

Source: National Science Foundation, USA

Nanotechnology?

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Source: Case Western University, USA

Size and Scale

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“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”

Source: Joseph and Morrison (2006)

Nanofood

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7 12 20.4

400

1000

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

2006 2009 2010 2012 2015

US

$ B

illi

on

s

Year

Nanofood Market

Global Investment in Nanotechnologies in Nanofood Market

Source: Helmut Kaiser Consultancy, Germany; Mihail Roco, NSF, USA

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Nanotechnology

Food

1) Food Quality Monitoring

2) Food Storage

3) Food Packaging

4) Food Processing

1) To sequence

2) To sense

3) To screen

4) To metabolically engineer enzymes,

microbes

5) To assay small volumes

Bioprocessing

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- Nanocapsules with tuna

fish oil

- Nanocapsules break

only in the stomach

Source: Tip Top Bakery, Australia

‘Tip-Top Up’ - Omega 3 Bread Canola Active Oil

Source: Shemen Industries, Israel

- Nanoencapsulation of

fortified phytosterols

- Reduce cholesterol

intake by 14%

Nano Encapsulation

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• Nano Synergy Energy Booster (Viatmin, Calcium,

B-Complex)

• Lycopene (supplement carotenoid, phytosterols)

• Reduces the surface tension of foods

• Supplement to increase wetness and absorption

Source: www.sprayforlife.comSource: BASF, Germany

Nanoceuticals

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Nano food-packaging film

(Bayer Polymer Inc) Nanoclay particle based Beer Bottle

(Nanocor Inc)

Lighter and stronger

Minimizes loss of CO2

from Beer

Nanocomposites

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Nano Bioluminiscence Detection Spray

Nanoengineered luminescent protein emits a visible glow

to the surface of Salmonella and E.Coli

Source: Agromicron Ltd

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Source: Biofactors Journal, 2001 Altair Nanotechnologies Ltd

• Nano selenium may stop bird flu

• Nano chicken feed – polystyrene nanoparticles

bind with bacteria to chickens as alternative to

chemical antibiotics

Bacteria Identification - Nanofeed

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Source: www.oilfresh.com

Coated with 20 nm width Zeolite

nanoparticles

Nano Powered Catalytic Device

Harder to heat

Transfer heat slower

Soggy & Oily fries

Easier to heat

Transfer heat faster

Crispier & healthier fries

Clustered Oil Molecules Dispersed Oil Molecules

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Source: Sandia National Laboratories, USA; CSIRO, Australia; Agilent Technologies

Chip for Quality Analysis Protein Lab Chip

Lab in a Pea Pod

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Nano-Electronic Tongue

Nano- Electronic Tongue Quality control for beverages by

electronic tongue

Source: Kraft foods

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Nanotags / Nanobarcodes

Oxonica Platform

Detection Technology, UK

Barcodes written into fluorescent microspheres by photo

bleaching. Codes are written as bars of different width,

and intensity levels. Source: Braeckmans et al., (2003)

Nature Materials

Nanoink Probe Tip

Source:Oxonica, Oxford, UK; NanoInk, USA

Nanobar codes enable auto label

readability in super markets

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Water Filtration System

Hydration Technologies X-Pack

• Filters at 50 nm level

• Light weight

• Water purification for bioprocessing

industries

Source: Hydration Technology Innovations, Albany, USA

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Non-toxic Nano Emulsion Disinfectant Nanocheck Algae Preventor

Source: Envirosystems Inc; Altair Nanotechnologies Ltd

Nano Cleaners

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Non-vitreous

Surface undulations observed on Durum

Wheat Starch (Neethirajan et al., 2007)

Vitreous

Atomic Force Microscope

Nanotools for Food Research

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Pressure Sensor

Acoustic Sensor

Odour Sensor

Temperature Sensor

Carbon dioxide Sensor

Humidity and Dust SensorGrain Bin

Nano Sensors for Grain Storage

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In to the FuTURE

CO2 Gas

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Renewable Lifestyle Vehicles (bionano processing)

Nanotech plant resin for automobile

interiors (Mitsubishi motors)

Source: LA Auto Show, Magazine, 2007Phototrophic Shell

Nano oil free Biopolymer car tire

Car seat foam from soybeansLaminated wooden panel

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Nano/Micro Machines

Source: David Parker / Science Photo Library

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Micro Robot at the MIT Robotics Lab

Nanorobots / Nanophage

Nanophage

Nanorobots in a capsule Nanorobot fly on a keyboard

Source: David Parker / Science Photo Library

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• What are the unintended consequences?

• Potential Unforeseen Risks

• Consumers Safety

• Ethical Issues

• Little is known about how the particles interaction with the environment

and human body?

• Lessons from Genetically Modified foods and AgBiotech

.

Challenges and Issues

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Acknowledgements

• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research

Council of Canada

• Canada Research Chairs Program

Disclaimer

Products and Companies mentioned in this presentation are not endorsed by the

authors or the University of Manitoba or by CIGR.

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www.sureshneethirajan.ca

Suresh.Neethirajan@gmail.com

"The Next Big Thing Is Really Small”