Nanotechnology Approaches for Improving the Healthiness and Sustainability of the Modern Food Supply.

Abstract

Nanotechnology has been successfully used in many commercial applications to create innovative products with new or improved functional attributes. In this article, the utilization of nanotechnology to improve the healthiness and sustainability of the modern food supply is demonstrated with various examples. The food industry has been highly successful in producing a diverse range of safe, affordable, tasty, and convenient foods, but many of these foods and their production methods are having damaging effects on the health of people and the environment. Nanotechnology is helping to create a new generation of foods with lower calorie densities, slower digestibility, and higher satiety, as well as to fortify foods with vitamins, minerals, and nutraceuticals in a bioavailable form. It is also being used to create nanopesticides and nanofertilizers to improve yields and reduce waste associated with agricultural production. Moreover, nanotechnology is being used to create tiny sensors that provide information about food quality and safety. Finally, it is being used to convert waste materials into valuable commodities, such as plant-based packaging materials to replace plastics.