Nanobiotechnology for Agri-Food Safety and Security

By Dr. Supriya Subramanian, Ph.D.Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM

By mid-2030, the global population is expected to increase to 8.6 billion, necessitating the efficient satisfaction of global food security demands. Traditional farming practices involve increased pesticide and fertilizer use to increase agricultural productivity without realizing the detrimental impact on human health and the environment.

Nanobiotechnology integrates nanotechnology with biotechnology and has shown immense promise in addressing these challenges by improving agricultural yield and food quality and safety.

For example, nanosensors enable improved disease detection, nanopesticides and nanofertilizers improve agricultural productivity, and smart packaging materials improve food quality and safety. This technology has significantly addressed the increased demand for food for the growing global population with limited harm to human health or the environment.¹

Image Credit: Hryshchyshen Serhii/Shutterstock.com

What is Nanobiotechnology?

Nanobiotechnology uses nanomaterials (ranging between 1-100 nm) having unique properties, such as small size, high reactivity, and large surface area, which are used to develop novel tools for various scientific research fields, such as biology and medicine, to overcome the limitations of conventional techniques.²

Nanobiotechnology is advantageous in the current agricultural scenario where the widespread use of large amounts of fertilizers and chemical pesticides pollutes the environment, harms human health, and affects biodiversity.

Nanotechnology-based products have shown immense potential to increase global food security and quality.

The key application areas include improving food quality using advanced packaging materials, improving food productivity using nanofertilizers and nanopesticides, and contamination detection and management using nanosensors.³

Beyond the Rainbow: Emerging Colors in Biotechnology

The Role of Nanobiotechnology in Agri-Food Systems

Food Safety Monitoring and Detection

Nanosensors and the antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles are used for detecting contaminants and pathogenic microorganisms.

Combining nanoparticles, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate and silver nanoparticles, enhances antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. Biofilms resistant to disinfecting agents have been successfully removed using TiO₂ or silver nanocoating.²

Nanosensors have been successfully used for toxin detection. An optical nanosensor using the competitive dispersion of gold nanorods detects aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in food products. An optical carbon nanotube immunosensor detects Staphylococcal enterotoxin B in food.³

Liposome nanosensors detect organophosphorus pesticides (paraoxon and dichlorvos) at low concentrations.⁴

Nanosensors when embedded in packaging materials act as indicators or smart labels that emit signals or change color when food is exposed to oxygen, moisture, temperature, or pathogen contamination.³

Nanosensors in intelligent packaging systems monitor food freshness during storage, transport, and on the market shelves. These nanosensors monitor physical properties (temperature, pH, humidity, and light); the presence of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide), pathogens, and toxins; freshness (lactic acid, ethanol, and acetic acid); and decomposition.⁵

Enhanced Crop Protection

Nanobiotechnology has shown promise in addressing the adverse effects of chemical pesticides and fertilizers by reducing soil toxicity, controlling nutrient release, increasing crop yield, and improving photosynthesis.

Nanofertilizers have growth-promoting substances and nutrients encapsulated in chelates, nanopolymers, or emulsions that enhance plant growth. Copper nanoparticle application enhances wheat cultivar Millat-2011 growth and yield by improving leaf area, chlorophyll content, and root dry weight.³

Silica nanopesticides have shown 90% mortality of Sitophilus oryzae.³

Arabinogalactan and glycyrrhizin composite nano-delivery systems containing pesticides (tebuconazole, prochloraz, imazalil, and imidacloprid) enhance pesticide solubility with greater penetration into rape and corn seeds.¹

Crop productivity is based on seed yield. Nanotechnology is used to improve the germination rate of stored seeds. Silver nanoparticles increased Boswellia ovalifoliolata’s germination rate by 95%.³

Nanotechnology is also important in eliminating toxic components from the environment, aiding in soil remediation and environmental security. For example, nano zero-valent iron has been used to remediate soils contaminated with heavy metals like arsenic and mercury.¹

Food Packaging and Preservation

Food packaging aims to suppress contamination and spoilage and protect food from external shock, temperature, and microbial infection by acting as a barrier to spoilage-causing gases and scavenging oxygen.

Smart packaging includes nanosensors, such as an electronic nose, which detects volatile compounds released from spoilt tomatoes. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensors comprising graphene and silver nanocomposite detected banned color additives in food. These packaging systems track the quality of the packaged food during storage and transport.

Active packaging integrates components with antioxidant or antimicrobial-releasing or oxygen-absorbing properties from or into food. Carbon nanotubes are used as an antimicrobial film for packaging cooked or shredded chicken meat. Ethylene absorbent powders are added to maintain the freshness of fruits and vegetables.^2,3

Improving Food Security with Nanobiotechnology

Nanozeolites, hydrogels, and nanoclays enhance the soil’s water-retention capacity. This helps to release the water slowly into the soil during drought stress in crop season.

Nanomaterials affect the soil’s physical properties (porosity, texture, bulk density, and structure). For example, carbon nanotubes increase the aggregation of sandy loamy soil by 35% due to their elastic properties.⁶

Nanomaterials improve soil quality and crop productivity by influencing soil properties. For example, nanofertilizers release nutrients based on the plant’s needs, preventing excess fertilizers from leaching downstream or converting into gaseous form.

Engineered nanomaterials affect soil microbial diversity, crop yield, and nutrient cycling. For example, beneficial microorganisms and nutrient availability increased when attapulgite clay was incorporated with yak dung pyrolysis.⁶

Carbon nanotubes and metal and graphene nanoparticles increase crop resilience against environmental stresses, such as salinity stress, by regulating ion balance and reducing salt-induced damage.

For example, the foliar application of zinc nanoparticles to rapeseed plants under salinity stress changed the expression of genes associated with hormonal, physiological, or developmental responses.⁷

Precision agriculture is a well-planned and controlled technique that employs information technology to ensure plants receive the exact quantity of resources for sustaining or increasing productivity. The benefits of precision agriculture are mentioned below:

1. The combination of sensor data and geo-mapping allows seeds to be planted at the right depth with adequate spacing between seeds, resulting in a good harvest.
2. Sensors study areas infested with pests or having mineral deficiencies and allow farmers to treat those areas with fertilizers or pesticides, preventing overdose and preserving soil quality.
3. Real-time data on weather patterns allows farmers to alter the environmental conditions and reduce the risks, maintaining adequate crop yield.
4. Inconsistent rainfall and increasing temperatures cause water stress, affecting agricultural productivity. Climate-smart agricultural strategies, including halfmoon pits, mulching, and permanent planting basins, are employed for adapting to climate change in rainfed maize production systems to enhance soilmoisture storage.⁸

In developing countries, >40% of food loss occurs at the postharvest and processing stages. Dipping products in edible nanocoatings protects them from dehydration, maintains their texture, overturns respiration, and reduces microbial growth.

For example, PVP-based silver nanoparticles have antimicrobial properties that delay microbial growth and weight loss and decrease skin color changes in asparagus.⁹

Advantages of Nanobiotechnology for Agri-Food Safety

Nanosensors demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity as contaminants and pathogens can be detected at very low concentrations. Nanotechnology-based detection methods are fast. For example, 88% of E. coli were detected in a sample within 45 minutes using magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with sugar molecules.

Nanosensors are installed at the packaging stage for consumers to determine food quality via color change.

Nanofertilizers allow the slow release of nutrients throughout the entire crop growth period, allowing adequate nutrient uptake by plants and reducing wastage by leaching.

Nanosensors are cost-effective compared to conventional food testing methods due to their small size and low reagent requirement.

Precision farming allows farmers to efficiently manage their fields to increase crop productivity, conserve resources, and mitigate risks associated with climate change.^1,3,10

Artificial Noses in Food and Beverage Analysis

Challenges and Concerns

Nanomaterials are small, highly reactive and can accumulate in water, soil, or living organisms. This raises concerns regarding toxicity, bioaccumulation, and ecological impact.

Nanoparticles are easily absorbed via the skin and enter the bloodstream, causing DNA damage and free radical production. Single-walled carbon nanotubes inhibit kidney cell proliferation and cause lung inflammation.^10,11

The synthesis of nanomaterials may produce nonbiodegradable pollutants in the environment.¹²

Nanoparticles deposit on leaves and flowers, producing a toxic layer that may inhibit pollen tube penetration. Nanoparticles may also impact water and mineral translocation.³

There is a lack of understanding of how nanomaterials interact under diverse agricultural environments making standardization and scaling up difficult.

The initial cost of developing and installing nanotechnology is high, which limits its access to farmers in developing nations.

The regulatory landscape on the use, disposal, and environmental effects of nanomaterials is in the nascent stages. Many developing countries still lack regulations governing nanotechnology use.

In vitro and in vivo studies assessing the interactions of nanoparticles with living organisms and robust toxicity and risk assessment techniques must be developed for wider adoption of this technology.

The public must be educated on the benefits and risks of nanotechnology in agriculture. Public engagement and transparent communication are crucial for its successful adoption.¹²

Future Outlook

Green Synthesized Nanomaterials

Nanomaterials are synthesized using plants, bacteria, algae, and fungi to limit environmental chemical accumulation. MnO₂ nanoparticle-based nanofertilizers prepared using potato leaf extract increased the photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant activities, and growth of Vigna unguiculata.¹³

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Approaches

Supervised learning algorithms, such as KNN, have been used to predict water retention and understand the factors for nanomaterial toxicity.

Unsupervised learning algorithms (a priori algorithm, K-means) are used to predict nanomaterial transformation in different soil and climatic conditions.

Reinforcement learning (Markov Decision Process) has potential application in hydroponics to determine the real-time response to nutrient and microbial composition changes.¹⁴

Scalable Production

The major hurdle in nanobiotechnology is scaling up these innovative methods to meet global agricultural demands. The different types of soils, crops, and climatic conditions alter the response of nanomaterials.

Cost-effective and scalable production approaches must be developed to generate nanomaterials in sufficient quantities without compromising their quality and functional properties.

Developing new nanobiotechnological approaches goes hand in hand with advances in regulatory guidelines and safety protocols. Collaboration among researchers, regulatory bodies, industry stakeholders, and farmers is crucial for successfully integrating nanotechnology into agriculture.¹²

Biotechnology and the Development of Hypoallergenic Agriculture

Conclusion

As the world grapples with climate change, population growth, and environmental degradation, nanobiotechnology has proved to be a promising solution to revolutionize agricultural practices, such as crop growth, protection, and production.

Nanomaterials improve crop yield and promote sustainable agriculture by enhancing nutrient absorption, disease resistance, and pest protection while reducing environmental damage.

Hydrogels successfully address challenges associated with water shortage and seed germination, and nanosensors provide real-time monitoring of soil and crop health.

Nanomaterials also pose certain ecological risks, which should be addressed by developing stringent regulatory protocols and safety evaluations, aiding in its responsible implementation.

Nanobiotechnological innovations done responsibly using standardized protocols and safety assessments will enhance agricultural productivity, promote sustainable farming practices, and contribute to food security.

References

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7. Hasanuzzaman M, Nahar K, editors. (2024). Abiotic stress in crop plants: ecophysiological responses and molecular approaches. BoD–Books on Demand; 2024 Jul 17. Available at: https://www.intechopen.com/books/13538
8. Garg S, Rumjit NP, Roy S. (2024). Smart agriculture and nanotechnology: technology, challenges, and new perspective. Advanced Agrochem, 1;3(2):115-25.
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10. Choudhary R, Rathore N, Parihar K, Chauhan MS, Binani S, Kumar N. (2024). Unveiling the nano world: expanding food safety monitoring through nano-biosensor technology. J Food Chem Nanotechnol, 10(S1): S94-S100. Available at: https://doi.org/10.17756/jfcn.2024-s1-012
11. Agrawal S, Rathore P. (2014). Nanotechnology pros and cons to agriculture: a review. Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci, 3(3):43-55. Available at: https://www.ijcmas.com/vol-3-3/Shweta%20Agrawal%20and%20Pragya%20Rathore.pdf
12. Alam MW, Junaid PM, Gulzar Y, Abebe B, Awad M, Quazi SA. (2024). Advancing agriculture with functional NM: “pathways to sustainable and smart farming technologies”. Discover Nano, 19(1):1-32. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-024-04144-z
13. Nam NN, Trai NN, Thuy NP, Nam PQ, Do HD. (2024). Current and emerging nanotechnology for sustainable development of agriculture: implementation design strategy and application. Heliyon, 10, e31503. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31503
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Further Reading

• All Biotechnology Content
• What is Biotechnology?
• Dissecting the Current Landscape of Biotechnology in Europe
• The Colors of Biotechnology; What do they mean?
• Importance of Biotechnology in Agriculture