Application of nanotechnology in agriculture, postharvest loss reduction and food processing: food security implication and challenges

Kumera Neme; Ayman Nafady; Siraj Uddin; Yetenayet B Tola

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08539

Application of nanotechnology in agriculture, postharvest loss reduction and food processing: food security implication and challenges

Heliyon. 2021 Dec 4;7(12):e08539. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08539. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Authors

Kumera Neme¹, Ayman Nafady², Siraj Uddin³, Yetenayet B Tola⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, College of Agriculture, Wollega University, Box 38, Shambu, Ethiopia.
² Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
³ HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical and Biological Center, University of Karachi, 75270, Pakistan.
⁴ Department of Food Science and Postharvest Technology, Jimma University College of Agriculture & Veterinary Medicine, Box 307, Jimma, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Ensuring food security in developing countries is highly challenging due to low productivity of the agriculture sector, degradation of natural resources, high post farming losses, less or no value addition, and high population growth. Researchers are striving to adopt newer technologies to enhance supply to narrow the food demand gap. Nanotechnology is one of the promising technologies that could improve agricultural productivity via nano fertilizers, use of efficient herbicides and pesticides, soil feature regulation, wastewater management, and pathogen detection. It is equally beneficial for industrial food processing with enhanced food production with excellent market value, elevated nutritional and sensing property, improved safety, and better antimicrobial protection. Nanotechnology can also reduce post-farming losses by increasing the shelf life with the aid of nanoparticles. However, further investigation is required to solve the safety and health risks associated with the technology.

Keywords: Agriculture; Food processing; Food security; Nanosensors; Nanotechnology.

Publication types

Review