Sustainability Challenges Involved in Use of Nanotechnology in the Agrofood Sector

Abstract

Nanotechnology is one of the most promising scientific fields of research in decades: it has the potential to revolutionize the global food and agricultural system. As with any new technology, many challenges are foreseen. A number of emerging nanotechnologies seem to have great efficacy in providing novel and improved solutions to many challenges facing the agrofood sector. Nanotechnology provides new agrochemical agents and new delivery mechanisms to improve crop productivity, water purification systems, and microbial and chemical contaminant detection systems. Their applications to the food sector are expected to bring a range of benefits, including new tastes, textures and sensations, less use of fat, enhanced absorption of nutrients, improved packaging, traceability and safety of food products. It is expected that nanotechnology will facilitate the development of lighter and more precise food‐manufacturing equipment, novel packaging materials as well as non‐polluting, cheaper and more efficient food‐processing techniques. In the present chapter, some of the most relevant applications and challenges of nanotechnology in the field of agriculture and food science and technology are discussed. Risk assessment and safety concerns with respect to agrofood research have also been highlighted. As nanotechnology is still a relatively new technology, it has outstanding safety concerns that merit international safety regulations to make this tool acceptable to the industry and consumers.