Harnessing the Known and Unknown Impact of Nanotechnology on Enhancing Food Security and Reducing Postharvest Losses: Constraints and Future Prospects

Abstract

Due to the deterioration of natural resources, low agricultural production, significant postharvest losses, no value addition, and a rapid increase in population, the enhancement of food security and safety in underdeveloped countries is becoming extremely tough. Efforts to incorporate the latest technology are now emanating from scientists globally in order to boost supply and subsequently reduce differences between the demand and the supply chain for food production. Nanotechnology is a unique technology that might increase agricultural output by developing nanofertilizers, employing active pesticides and herbicides, regulating soil features, managing wastewater and detecting pathogens. It is also suitable for processing food, as it boosts food production with high market value, improves its nutrient content and sensory properties, increases its safety, and improves its protection from pathogens. Nanotechnology can also be beneficial to farmers by assisting them in decreasing postharvest losses through the extension of the shelf life of food crops using nanoparticles. This review presents current data on the impact of nanotechnology in enhancing food security and reducing postharvest losses alongside the constraints confronting its application. More research is needed to resolve this technology’s health and safety issues.

Nanotechnology: A Revolution in Modern Industry

“…These biodegradable polymers are not only used in bioprocessing industries to create food products with relevant benefits but are also being deployed in the biomedical field, therapeutic industries, biotechnology base tissue engineering field, packing, sensor industries, drug delivery technology, water remediation, food industries, and cosmetics industries as well [ 2 , 24 , 34 , 43 ]. These nanocomposites have outstanding characteristics of biocompatibility, lower toxicities, antimicrobial activity, thermal resistance, and overall improved biodegradation properties which make them worthy of applications in products [ 44 ]. However, it is still imperative to conduct wide-scale toxicity and safety profiling for these and other nanomaterials to ensure the safety requirements, customer satisfaction, and public benefit are met [ 44 ].…”

“…These nanocomposites have outstanding characteristics of biocompatibility, lower toxicities, antimicrobial activity, thermal resistance, and overall improved biodegradation properties which make them worthy of applications in products [ 44 ]. However, it is still imperative to conduct wide-scale toxicity and safety profiling for these and other nanomaterials to ensure the safety requirements, customer satisfaction, and public benefit are met [ 44 ].…”

Current trends in nano-delivery systems for functional foods: a systematic review

“…Figure 2 shows the examples of application of nanotechnology in food product development. Numerous applications of nanotechnology in food packaging, functionality and processing exist, including nanoencapsulation, nanosensors, nanopacking, and smart distribution systems ( Fadiji et al, 2022 ). Nestlé’s low-fat ice cream uses nanoemulsions to achieve a low-fat content ( Sampathkumar, Tan & Say, 2020 ).…”

“…Nanoparticles are used in food packaging to retard the growth of microorganisms that may be present on food surfaces ( Rossi et al, 2017 ). For instance, for food and beverages preservation, Ag-nanoparticles has been utilized as antimicrobial agent ( da Costa Ribeiro et al, 2019 ; Fadiji et al, 2022 ). Arfat et al (2017) used biocomposite film from fish skin gelatin and Ag-Cu nanoparticles to investigate the effect of Ag-Cu NPs loading on the thermal and antibacterial properties of gelatin-based film.…”

Recent insights into metallic nanoparticles in shelf-life extension of agrifoods: Properties, green synthesis, and major applications

“…Due to this, NPs, particularly metallic nanoparticles (MNPs), became a valuable class of nanoparticles owing to their key role in preserving, protecting, and extending the shelf stability of foods (Iderawumi and Yusuff, 2021). MNPs can assist in reducing postharvest losses using active packing elements with enhanced mechanical and gas permeation performances, which ultimately influence the quality of agrifoods (Fadiji et al, 2022). Among all the major strategies toward shelf-life enhancement of foods, incorporation of MNPs into food packaging systems is a widely accepted strategy that improves vital characteristics such as mechanical properties, permeability (to atmospheric gases), and antimicrobial activity, which tends to maintain the freshness and also enhances the shelf life of foods.…”