nanotechnology: potential impacts on food safety · nanotechnology: potential impacts on food...
TRANSCRIPT
NANOTECHNOLOGY:Potential Impacts on
Food SafetyJim Dingman, MS, REHS, DLAAS
Underwriters Laboratories
Presentation Topics
• What is nanotechnology• How does it work• Financial outlook for NT• Markets• Food Safety applications of NT• Problems and concerns of NT and food safety• Regulatory activities to address these problems /
concerns
NANOTECHNOLOGY
“Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Encompassing nanoscale science,engineering and technology, nanotechnologyinvolves imaging, measuring, modeling,and manipulating matter at this length scale”
National Nanotechnology Initiative
NANOTECHNOLOGYNanotechnology is the science behind the ability to build anything, atom by atom, from the ground up
NT is not miniaturization
SIZE DOES MATTER !!
1 cm = 3/8 inch (.375 inches)1 cm = 1/100 m1 mm = 1/1,000 m1 µm = 1/1,000,000 m1 nm = 1/1,000,000,000 m
1 rbc = 2,500 nm
1 nm is smaller than the wavelength of visible light
OR 0.0000000000375 inch
1st Concepts of “Nano-technology”“There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”
Lecture given by Nobel laureate physicist Richard Feynman at Cal-Tech.
December 29, 1959
“I want to build a billion tiny factories, models of each other, which are manufacturing simultaneously. . . “
“It would be, in principle, possible for a physicist to synthesize any chemical substance that the chemist writes down.
How?
Put the atoms down where the chemist says, and so you make the substance …
“The principles of physics, as far as I can see, do not speak against the possibility of maneuvering things atom by atom.
It is not an attempt to violate any laws; it is something, in principle, that can be done; but in practice, it has not been done because we are too big.”
… The problems of chemistry and biology can be greatly helped if our ability to see what we are doing, and to do things on an atomic level, is ultimately developed—a development which I think cannot be avoided.”
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K. Eric Drexler
The Father of Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology, in its traditional sense, means building things from the bottom up, with atomic precision.
Manipulate individual atoms and molecules and put them together in certain configurations, enabling you to create just about anything you desire.
Nanoparticles
A free-from or semicrystalline nano-structure with at least one dimension between 10 and 100 nm and a relatively large (≥ 15%) size dispersion
FullerenesCarbon atoms that are assembled into a
nanostructure which can either be formed into balls or tubes
“My own judgment is that the nanotechnology revolution has the potential to change America on a scale equal to, if not greater than, the computer revolution.”
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)
Societ
al
Impac
ts
Time
Accelerated ImpactsAccelerated Impacts
Industrial Revolutions
Molecular Manufacturing
Revolution
(Measured in decades)
Development of Nanotechnology Markets
Worldwide• Overall by 2015:
$ 1.5 trillion
• Food sector only:$ 410 million (2006)$ 5.8 billion (2012)
Cientifica . 2007. Half Way to the Trillion Dollar Market?
Markets
Building products (paint, cleaners)Automobiles (parts, glass coatings)Textiles & fabrics (repellants, bio-monitors)Electronics (devices, process technology)Consumer products (make-up, sporting goods)Medical (drugs, surgical aids)Agriculture (seeds, nutrient delivery systems)Food …
ApplicationsFood Quality:
- Attractive surface treatment, glazes and colors- Improvement of food flavor, smell, etc.- Extension of product shelf-life
- Food Processing:- Improved cooking, control of food ingredients- Special food: hospital food, space food, hot and
cold areas
- Packaging: -UV barriers, mechanically and temperature reinforced packaging; antimicrobial, breathable, multifunctional packaging
- Magnetic nanocomposite for tag sensors
Nanocantilevers
Look like tiny diving boards made of silicon that vibrate at different frequencies when contaminants stick to them, revealing the presence of dangerous viruses and bacteria
Image generated by Seyet, LLC
E. coli detection
• E. coli in sample bindswith protein on slide
• Surface of chip changes
• Camera photographs changefor analysis and confirmation of detection
Nanobarcodes
A “nanobarcode” is an alternative tagging or monitoring device that works like a UPC code, but on the nano-scale.
Nanobarcodes
Fluoresce in presence of pathogens
Can detect several pathogens simultaneously
Food Engineering
- Flavor enhancers- Cholesterol replacement- Nutrient dispersion
Nano-sized self-assembled structured liquids (NSSL) technology makes it possible to encapsulate essential oils, drugs and other insoluble compounds in food.
Food AdditiveAquasol (AquaNova)
Micelle of water insoluble substances surround active ingredients within soluble nanocapsules, and increases absorption within the body (including individual cells).
Cholesterol Inhibiting Canola Oil
Canola Active Oil (Sheman Industries):
• Integration of free phytosterols into food products
• inhibits cholesterol from entering bloodstream
O’lalaO'lala has solved the long-standing problem of gum falling apart when you mix chocolate and other rich ingredients into the gum base
“Choco'la Chocolate Chewing Gum."
Kraft is also working on sensors that will be able to
detect an individual’s nutritional deficiencies
and then respond with smart foods that release
molecules of the needed nutrients
NT and Food Packaging• Uses:
– Detect / retards spoilage & bacterial growth
– Nanosensors for time / temp &/or moisture monitoring
– Lighter / stronger packaging
Plastic + clay nanoparticles– Hard as glass– Increased shelf life (to 6 months)– Better at sealing in CO2
Retards Spoilage
Detects / Retards Bacterial GrowthMilk cartons that
change color as milk goes “bad”
Silver nanoparticles reduce bacteria by 99.9%
Edible nano coatings could be used on meats, cheese, fruit and vegetables, confectionery, bakery goods and fast food
Nanosensors for time / temp / moisture monitoring
“Smart Packaging” turns blue as temperature increases CheckPointTM Time /
Temperature monitor
Food contact material
Nano silver cutting board (A-Do Global)
Nano-sized silver particles have increased antibacterial properties.
“Hygienic Surfaces”
Development and evaluation of coatings and surface conditions on steel for antibacterial and easy-to-clean properties.
Ethics
• Legitimacy of scientific results– Public trust – Use / abuse by governments,
corporations, etc.• Who will benefit / suffer • Proper disclosure to the public• Genetic engineering / GMOs • Fear of the unknown
Ethics
Safety (advanced nanotechnologies could conceivably pose dangers beyond the immediate concerns about the health and safety of nanoparticles)
4 main categories:
EthicsNanoethics is an important concern that needs to be maintained in conjunction with the development of nanotechnology.
Nanoethics encourages the skepticism and scrutiny required to keep nanotechnology within ethical boundaries so that this promising new technology works only in the service of human flourishing.
Why nanomaterials pose new risks• Nanomaterials are more chemically reactive and
have greater access to our bodies than larger
particles
• Greater bioavailability and greater bioactivity may
introduce new toxicity risks
• Nanomaterials can compromise our immune
system response and have long term pathological
effects
Nanotoxicity remains poorlyunderstood.
We don’t know:
• What levels of nano-exposure we are currently facing
• What levels of exposure could harm our health -- or if there is any safe level of exposure
Safety:Nanomaterials:- Exhibit properties not found at the macro-scale - Unpredictable safety problem and risk- Limited scientific evidence about potentialhazards and / or risks
Safety:Nanotechnology in food and packaging:
- Growing rapidly- No requirement to label food products containing nanoparticles
- No regulatory standard to comply with
HOWEVER … Research efforts have also revealed that the ways of making nanomaterials may not necessarily produce products with harmful effects
Many researchers in the food industry have been extremely careful about selecting their products and materials, and stress that they have not been working with materials that have raised concerns
Regulation“EPA intends to review as appropriate new nanotechnology products and processes as they are introduced, under EPA’s product review authorities, such as TSCA, FIFRA, and the Clean Air Act. EPA intends to work with producers and users of nanomaterials to develop protocols and approaches that ensure responsible development.”
http://www.epa.gov/osa/pdfs/nanotech/epa-nanotechnology-whitepaper-0207.pdf
RegulationNanotechnology relevant to the FDA might include research and technology development that both satisfies the NNI definition and relates to a product regulated by FDA. The regulatory consideration of an application involving a nanotechnology product may not occur until well after the initial development of that nanotechnology as well as the establishment of its statutory classification
A list of recommendations on the development of regulations
for nanofoods
Adapted from: C.-F. Chau et al. / Trends in Food Science & Technology 18 (2007) 269e280
• Consider particle size range, measurement methods, processing methods, physical and chemical properties, and safety concerns.
• Regulate nanofoods and food products containingnanoparticles as novel foods – even though theirlarger forms may already be permitted materials.
• Carry out societal and ethical research for food nanotechnology.
• Don’t focusing only on size, but also consider thechanges in the bioactivity, physicochemical property, and functions of nanoscale materials in relation to their size reduction.
• Divide nanofood products into different categoriesfor proper classification, management, and analysis.
• Require food labeling to identify the presence of nanomaterials in products, and provide possible particle size range and relevant safety information.
• Nanotoxicity screening should includephysicochemical characterization, in vitro assays and in vivo animal studies.
Copyright 2008-2010. Sherri S. Schultz, PhD.
• Risk assessment should include the potential release ofmanufactured nanoparticles from packaging materials into food materials.
• Laboratory protocols
are needed to protect
workers from exposure
to occupational health hazards.
Concluding Remarks• Nanotechnology’s explosive growth must be tempered with a concern for its impacts, formed by sound, scientific research.
• The potential benefits of nanotechnology could indeed be life-changing. We must hope that thesechanges are for the better, and not at the expense of our environment and health.