Presentation from the University of Wisconsin - Madison (date of presentation unknown)

1. Nanotechnology in Agriculture
and Food Technology
Food and Agriculture
Bioengineering

2. ―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.
http://en.epochtimes.com/news/6-2-15/38219.html
http://www.kjbeath.com.au/photos/fungi%202/Pages/Red_Fungus.html
How can small science have
such a big impact?
How can small science have
such a big impact?

3. How Big Is Nano?
http://www.terressentials.com/exposure.html
This is one
nanometer!

4. http://www.nano.gov/html/facts/The_scale_of_things.html

5. Where is Nanoscience in
Agriculture and Food Science?
image from : http://members.ift.org/NR/rdonlyres/5F641E00-290A-4EB0-93D7-C02171FF5D17/0/1203moraru.pdf

6. Areas of Nanoscience Research
in Agriculture and Food Science
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
On the next few pages we‘ll look at
nanoscience research in some of
these areas.
http://www.lowimpactliving.com/pages/newsletters/newsletter-green-certifications

7. 1. Pathogen and
Contaminant Detection
Or sensors which can slow
decomposition and detect
pathogens before your nose
does.
http://64.202.120.86/upload/image/news/stopping-the-bacteria-from-talking/stopping-the-bacteria1-.jpg
Imagine using nanotechnology to
create self-healing materials or
coatings that can modify
agricultural materials or
packaging to prevent microbial
contamination;

8. Eat ‗em Up, 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?
http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/research/4270075.html
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.

9. Hand-Helds
http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=72578-nano-pathogens-sensor
http://www.thedarwinpapers.com/oldsite/number6/Number6_files/inspect1.gif
On the other hand,
scientists are working
on a simple inexpensive
hand-held instrument that can
detect bacteria in 15 minutes
using nanotechnology.

10. 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
http://nano.foe.org.au/image/view/222

11. Food Poisoning
scientists are eager
to develop nanosized
geotracers that
enable users to
locate precisely the
origin of agricultural
products.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2006-02/ir-tfp020706.php
http://www.braintree.gov.uk/Braintree/environment/food/Food+Poisoning.htm
http://www.nfis.com.au/foodbiz/Dec2005/images/food_cafe420.jpg
In the wake of widespread
food poisoning scares in
spinach, tomatoes, cilantro,
and peppers,

12. 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, and soil
conditioners.

13. And…
 Explore more efficient
methods of molecular
modification.
http://www.jnjgateway.com/home.jhtml?loc=USENG&page=viewContent&contentId=09008b9880ec8e18&parentId=09008b9880ec8c7
http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17578&ch=nanotech
 Identify new
agriculturally-derived
molecules for industrial
and biomedical
applications.

14. 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:
http://www.isrealli.org/another-reason-to-trash-junk-food/

15. No Kidding?
 Mask unwanted odors
and flavors.
http://nyc.metblogs.com/archives/images/2007/01/smelly.bmp
http://www.amazon.com/Eat-delicious-desirable-successful-packaging/dp/288046773X
 Make food
packaging
edible.
Picture that!

16. 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%!
http://www.mylilypads.com/images/products/me-bath-ice-cream.jpg

17. 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

18. 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.
http://files.nanobio-raise.org/Downloads/nfnaf.pdf
http://www.oilfresh.com/of1000.html
http://www.comesatradehub.com/images/products/8039972186.jpg

19. image: http://nanopedia.case.edu/NWPage.php?page=nanoagriculture
4. Nanoscale Materials Science and Engineering

20. Nanomaterials
 Conducting research to better understand the
mechanics of nanomaterials such as self-
assembly, like the self-assembled capsule on the
right.
Engineering and materials
science at the nanoscale is
also improving agriculture
and the food industry:
http://nanotechnologytoday.blogspot.com/2008/04/self-assembled-materials-form-mini-stem.htm l
 Developing nanomaterials using DNA
as a building block, like DNA
nanowires, DNA-microelectronic
hybrids, bioseparation and biofilms.

21. 5. Environmental Issues
and Agricultural Waste
 Understanding the role of nanoparticles
(inorganic and organic) in the movement
and uptake of nutrients and pollutants;
 And the movement and toxicity
of nanoparticles in agricultural
pollution (dust, feedlot runoff);
 Reducing or converting animal
or plant waste into useful products.
Agriculture is utilizing
nanotechnology as it works
toward the following solutions:
http://www.ontariocorn.org/magazine/Issues/2006/12%20December/F1-2b-Stewart-Manure%20Equip-Fig%202b.JPG
http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/51200D74-A40B-4104-AE7E-BD2FED5F6A0E/0/pollution.jpeg

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

23. 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.

24. Nanotechnology Conserving
Water
Understanding the role of
nanoparticles in soil‘s
water retention.

25. More Nanoscience Help for
Soil
 Create ammonia needed in
fertilizer.
 Create artificial iron in water.
 Prevent erosion with soil
binders that hold soils together.
http://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/LEACH/heap.htm
 Clean soils using
nanoparticles in
water that clean the
soil as they pass
through it.

26. 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.
http://files.nanobio-raise.org/Downloads/nfnaf.pdf
http://www.rsc.org/images/pesticide-300_tcm18-60750.jpg

27. Did We Mention?
 Enhance photosynthesis,
And improve germination. Read
more about it by clicking here.
Materials science and
engineering also uses
nanoscience to
http://www.laudu.realtownblogs.com/uploads/_seed_CORB2017.JPG
http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/staff/lackey/pubs/S_I_FIG5.jpg
http://iramis.cea.fr/en/meetings/2008TheorieIRAMIS/programme.php

28. Another Kind of Agriculture
Uses Nanoscience
 Improve fishing
practices, breeding
and antibiotics.
 Remove
contaminants from
water.

29. Going to the Nano-Market
Nanofood market
– $2.6 billion 2004
– $7.0 billion 2006
– Projected $20.4 billion 2010
Helmut Kaiser Consultancy NWFPA 2007 Expo, Portland OR
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?

30. 6. Yummy AND
Healthy
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.
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=Agriculture+forestry+and+fishing
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VHY-4KFV3B4-
2&_user=443835&_coverDate=10%2F31%2F2006&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000020958&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid
=443835&md5=5e50b64c59ca42a1e93b103b33d783a1
Image: http://tiki.oneworld.net/food/food_home.html

31. Social, Environmental and Ethical
Concerns
1. Might these nanotechnology developments in
agriculture and food technology infringe on human
rights?
2. Could any of them decrease privacy of individuals?
3. Could the use of nanotechnology for agriculture
have unwanted and negative environmental effects?
4. What economic impact could the use of
nanotechnology in agriculture have on farmers,
consumers, and other industries? Might they be
negative or positive?

32. What About Your Rights?
If so, are these developments
more important than
•Your privacy?
•Your rights as a citizen?
•Your rights as a human being?
Are the answers somewhere in between?
http://www.info4security.com/Pictures/web/w/v/m/iStock_Law.jpg

33. Planning Your
Presentation
http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2007/02/15/PH2007021502068.jpg
http://www.presentationalspeaking.com/images/pic_2.jpg
To prepare for your
presentation, answer
these questions using
reference materials
which can include the
websites linked to this
webquest:
1. What can be done to
maximize the chances that
humans will benefit from,
rather than be harmed by
these new developments?
2. If we can develop these
technologies, should we?
Why?

34. Agricultural Websites
These are websites which are a good place to start in
looking for more information on nanotechnology in the
agriculture. You may also wish to use the general website
page linked at the bottom of this page. It is full of
nanotechnology sites related to multiple areas including
yours. After exhausting these resources you may also
wish to use your search engine and appropriate key words
and phrases to find more information.
 http://www.nano-and-
society.org/commentaries/commentary_willow02.html
 www.euronanotrade.com/news/Sources_of_Information.do
c
General Nanoscience Links

35. More Help
If you would like help breaking down
your research into steps, click on the
help button for an outline.
http://www.nanotechproject.org/index.php?id=44&action=view&dbq=food
http://www.nanotechproject.org/index.php?id=44&action=view&product_id=1290 http://nanotechwire.com/news.asp?nid=4556 http://www.azonano.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1316 ‘Down on the
Farm: the Impact of Nano-Scale Technologies on Food and Agriculture’, ETC Group Report, November
2004. http://www.azonano.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1315http://www.azonano.com/Industries.asp http://www.nanotechforest.org/dwnlds/Nano%20Workshop_Nano-
Art%5B1%5D.ppt#357,13,Slide13 http://nanoandcommodities.wordpress.com/tag/agricultural-and-food-commodities/agricultural-inputs-for-
nanotechnology/http://www.azonano.com/SearchResults.aspIndKeyWord=Agriculture+forestry+and+fishinghttp://nsrg.neu.edu/resources/regulatory_capacity/documents/NanoAgFood.pdf Science
and Engineering 2003 Reportimage: http://nanopedia.case.edu/NWPage.php?page=nanoagriculture
http://www.nanotechforest.org/dwnlds/Nano%20Agriculture%20roadmap.pdf

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