Health News

A nanometre (nm) is one millionth of a millimetre and nanomaterials are made from structures in the scale 1-100 nm in any direction. When particles are this small, they have fundamentally different properties, and nanotechnology uses these properties to manufacture new materials or products. In the non-food arena nanotechnology products include improved transparent sunscreens, stay-clean coatings for windows and buildings, carbon fibre products for cars, sports goods and wheelchairs and there are many applications of nano-sensors in the electronics, energy and materials industry. Examples of nanomaterials can be found in the pharmaceutical industry, especially around encapsulation and targeted drug delivery, making drugs more effective at lower doses. Examples of environmental applications include nano-thin sheets of aluminium oxide to filter heavy metals from contaminated water and nano-catalysts to accelerate the breakdown of other contaminants.
In the food arena the main applications of nanotechnology are in the following areas:

 

The benefits in using nanotechnology in medicine and health food supplements mainly are that the drugs or supplements in nanoform are absorbed faster or delivered to the targeted area much more efficiently. This means that their effects are more immediate, and a lower concentration can be used, minimising any unwanted side effects. The same benefits can be used for animal or plant welfare. Examples include nano-encapsulated fertilisers or insecticides. One pesticide under development is designed to release its toxin only when inside the target insect, removing the risk of harm to beneficial insects that can come with a conventional application. Using nano-nutrients in animal feed can deliver benefits faster and for less cost overall.
 

The development of smart food packaging has seen the application of nanotechnology probably more than in any other food area. Smart packaging includes both active and intelligent packaging. Active packaging is used to control the deterioration of the food product due either to oxidation or spoilage. An example is the inclusion of clay nanoparticles in plastic bottles or packaging to provide a barrier to oxygen or carbon dioxide, extending the shelf life of the products. Another example of active packaging is the use of nano-coatings, such as nano-silver, which can be used to prevent microbial growth, and have been applied both to packaging and to the insides of fridges or other food storage containers. These coatings could be applied to surfaces of animal housing both to reduce microbial growth and also to make cleaning less frequent and easier. In a different application, edible coatings containing nano-emulsions made from plant-based ingredients have been developed to protect fruit during storage and transport.
Intelligent packaging monitors the condition of packaged foods. Examples include inks or patches that act by changing colour, alerting the consumer or retailer when the contents are no longer safe or useable.
 

Nano sensors are increasing in a wide range of applications, such as producing rapid and sensitive tests for pathogens, or for certain medical tests, for example blood glucose. These sensors can be developed for use in the agriculture industry, such as detecting changes in soil conditions or growth of pathogens in soil or crops. QR codes containing nano-sensors can also provide information delivered to mobile phones. As well as being used in marketing products to the consumer, these codes are used to ensure authenticity against counterfeit products and deliver information to farmers on animal health history or crop details such as planting date, application of fertiliser, etc.
 

Whilst there are obvious benefits to the applications of nanotechnology, there are also some concerns on the potential toxicity of nano particles to human and animal health and to the environment. Some of the concerns are linked to a mistrust of science and to the GMO debate. However, most of the concerns centre around the use of persistent engineered nanomaterials (pENM) which include nano-silver coatings, nano-titanium dioxide and nano-silica. Concerns that nano-silver might leach from products into the environment and pose a threat to natural bacteria have been raised. Additionally, the potential for titanium dioxide and silica, both approved food additives, to contain nanoparticles that could be absorbed in the intestine and be harmful, has been raised. Research to date has shown no migration of silver or other nanomaterials from packaging or coatings and no toxicity effects have been demonstrated for titanium dioxide. Further research and caution is advised for these materials not usually ingested.
Regulations exist for the inclusion of nanomaterials in packaging, and the use of other forms of nanoparticles in food products is generally considered under the novel foods regulations. In most cases the use of nanomaterials is considered on a case by case basis.
 

Maintaining food security and production is hugely important in the context of global population growth and a changing environment, and the use of science and especially nanotechnology provides essential platforms for maintaining these. There are already several beneficial uses for the agriculture industry in terms of improved crop production and animal health and nutrition, and without doubt these will continue to be developed further. In terms of consumer acceptability of nanotechnology, research has shown that if benefits to the consumer can be demonstrated then the applications are more easily accepted.

More detailed information on nanotechnology applications in food can be obtained from the IFST information statement and reviews on applications for agriculture specifically in the following links:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6680665/
https://www.jfda-online.com/article/S1021-9498(18)30173-X/fulltext