Nanotechnology in
food BY ALWIN LE ROUX Y9 A
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.
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.
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, 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.
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)
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 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.
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.
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.
Antibodies
The main role of an antibody is to detect chemicals or foodborne
pathogens within a certain food.
Nano clays
The Nano clay protects food from becoming spoiled and prevents
oxygen absorption.
Nano size supplements
Nano sized supplements can, when consumed, increase the
absorption of nutrients.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
References:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/nanotechnology1.html
http://www.terasemjournals.com/GNJournal/GN0301/ck1.html
http://2020science.org/2009/03/what-nanotechnology-can-do-for-
your-average-donut/
http://www.nano.gov/you/nanotechnology-benefits
http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology-in-food.php
http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v6/n11/fig_tab/nnano.2011.193_F1.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/15/us-nano-food-idUSTRE68E24W20100915