Nanotechnology in the Agri-Food Sector

Introduction

PART I: Fundamentals

INTERMOLECULAR INTERACTIONS
Introduction
Water
Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
Dispersion Interaction
Electrostatic Interactions
Steric Interactions Involving Soluble Polymers
Epilog

SUPRAMOLECULAR STRUCTURES
Introduction
Self-Assembly
Plant Cells
Organized Self-Assembled Structures
Summary

PART II: Basic Applications

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN FOOD PRODUCTION
Introduction
Food Production
Nanotechnology and Food
Applications of Nanotechnology in Foods
Concerns about Using Nanotechnology in Food Production

PACKAGING
Introduction
Reasons to Package Food Products
Physical Properties of Packging Materials
Antimicrobial Functionality
Visual Indicators
Information and Communication Technology
Discussion

USING NANOPARTICLES IN AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD DIAGNOSTICS
Introduction
Biosensors
Transduction Principles
Examples of Biosensors in Which Nanoparticles Are Being Used
Future Prospects

PART III: Food Applications

NANO-FUNCTIONALIZED TECHNIQUES IN CROP AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION: IMPROVING FOOD PRODUCTIVITY, TRACEABILITY, AND SAFETY
Introduction
Sensors
Enzyme Biosensors and Diagnostics
DNA-Based Biosensors and Diagnostics
Radofrequency Identification (RFID)
Integrated Nanosensor Networks: Detection and Response
Conclusions

NANOTECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING FOOD QUALITY, SAFETY, AND SECURITY
Introduction
Improving Quality, Safety, and Security of Agricultural Production
Improving Quality, Safety, and Security in Food Processing
Improving Quality, Safety, and Security in Packaging and Distribution
Wrapping Up

FOOD FUNCTIONALITY AND THE PHYSICS OF BIONANOTECHNOLOGY: SOME EXAMPLES AND CHALLENGES
Introduction: How Are Foods and Bionanotechnology Related?
Physics and Structures in Food Bionanotechnology
Fibrillar Structures
Plate-Like Structures
Spherically Symmetric Structures
Bicontinuous Structures in Protein-Polysaccharide Systems
Gastronomy and the Nanodomain: Molecular Gastronomy
Conclusions

PRODUCTS AND THEIR COMMERCIALIZATION
Introduction
Investment in Nanotechnology Research
Innovations in Food and Agriculture Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology Commercialization
Current and Emerging Markets
Conclusions

PART IV: Nanotechnology and Society

TOXICOLOGY OF NANOMATERIALS IN FOOD
Introduction
What Makes Nanomaterials Special?
Characterization of Engineered Nanomaterials
Safety Assessment of Oral-Exposure Engineered Nanomaterials for Food Application
Conclusions

NANOMATERIALS IN FOOD AND FOOD CONTACT MATERIALS - POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSUMER SAFETY AND REGULATORY CONTROLS
Background
Nanomaterials Likely to be Used in Food and Related Applications
Potential Consumer Safety Implications
Current and Projected Applications for Food
Implications for Regulatory Frameworks
Conclusions

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS OF AND SOCIETAL REACTIONS TO NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THE FOOD SECTOR
Introduction
Life Cycle of Nanotechnology Food Products
Occurrence of Engineered Nanoparticles in the Environment
How Should Society Deal with Uncertainty?
Conclusions

NANOTECHNOLOGY AND FOOD ALLERGY
Introduction
Molecules in Foods Involved in Triggering Allergies
Food Structure, Processing, and Food Allergy
Impact of Nanoscale Structures on Allergenic Potential of Foods
Conclusions

COMMUNICATION OF RISKS AND BENEFITS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY: THE ISSUE OF SOCIETAL ACCEPTANCE OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Introduction
Science and Society: Lessons for Nanotechnology Applied to Food Production
A Short Introduction to the Psychology of Risk-Benefit Perception
How do People Form Perceptions of New Technologies
Nanotechnology Communication in the Business Context
Conclusion

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH EMERGING ISSUES IN AGRI-FOOD NANOTECHNOLOGY
Introduction
What Is "Public Engagement"?
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Public and Stakeholder Engagement
Public Engagement Examples
Recommendations for Conducting Public Engagement and Public Consultation Exercises

NANO-ETHICS

Introduction: Historical Background
Identifying and Avoiding Unethical Nanotechnological Products
Ensuring Ethical Nanotechnological Research, Innovation, and Production
Nano-Ethics as the Questions of the Good Nanotechnology Society
Conclusion: The Ethical Challenge Ahead for the Nano-Agri-Food Sector

EVOLVING BEST PRACTICE IN GOVERNANCE POLICY - DEVELOPING CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN RISK ANALYSIS APPLIED TO EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Introduction
Introduction to Food Safety Governance
Potential Innovations to the Risk Analysis Framework as Proposed by SAFE FOODS
Risk Analysis and Nanotechnology
Recommendations