Nanobiotechnology and its Application in Agriculture and Food Production

Abstract

Nanobiotechnology involves the use of nanotechnology integrated with biology. It is an emergent field of research that holds vivid applications in agriculture sector and food industry. In agriculture, nanofertilizers are helping to enhance plant growth by providing smart nourishment. Nanopesticides (control pests), nanoinsecticides (against insects), nanofungicides, and nanoherbicides (control weeds in the field) are the output of advanced nanobiotechnological research. Nanoparticles are also used in seed science to enhance seed germination. The technological breakthough in nanotechnology was achieved after the development of nanosensors. Nanobiosensors are available for detecting phytopathogens and pesticide residues. In food sectors, nanoparticles are utilized in food processing and packaging. Besides this, nanoadditives, nutraceutical delivery agents, and nanoencapsulation devices find multiple applications in several fields. Nanoparticles have been effectively used in the food packaging to enhance storage period and decrease pathogenic growth on stored food. Nanobiosensors are utilized to detect the contamination of foodborne pathogens, toxic substance, and pesticide detection in food. Despite a lot of advantages of nanobiotechnology, the environmental toxicity of nanoparticles is a matter of concern that requires risk assessment of nanoparticles on human health and environmental effects.