Engineered Nanomaterials in FoodBy Paloma Tracy and Mariah Poitier

Vocab http://www

.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2013/05/hoeschool-vocabulary-curriculum-forum.html

Vocab

ENM-Engineered Nanomaterialsadsorption - Capability of a solid substance to attract to its surface molecules of a gas or solution agglomerationaggregation- a group or mass of distinct or varied thingsoxidation-reaction in which a material gives up electronsreduction reactions-the gaining of electrons. bioaccumulate-become concentrated in the bodies of living things

Engineered Nanomaterials (ENMs)3 categories:

inorganicsurface functionalized materialsorganic

Seen in Sunscreens, Cosmetics , Sports Equipment

http://seas.yale.edu/faculty-research/research-areas/nanomaterials

What is Nanofood?contain engineered nanomaterials (ENMs)

metal oxide nanoparticlesman-made nanoparticles such as silver, titanium dioxide,

zinc oxide, silica, etc.used in food supplements and food packaging

http://www.earth911.com/content/uploads/2011/03/Chip-Bags.jpg

Inorganic Nanomaterials

found in food additives and food packaging/ storage

ENMs of...transition metals (silver, iron, titanium, and

zinc)alkaline earth metals (calcium and

magnesium)non-metals (selenium and silicates)s1.ibtimes.com (source)

Properties of ENMs

NanoSilver Anti Microbial, Anti Odor, Supplements

NanoTitaniniuumBlock UV rays, Prevents microbial growth

Nano ZincAbsorbs UV w/o emitting heat

NanoSilicaCaking Agent

ApplicationsNanoSilver

textiles , cosmetic/ hygiene, appliances , cleaning agents

NanoTitianumpaints, plastics, colorants

Nano ZincPolymer composites , multivitamin

NanoSilicas3-production.bobvila.com

food additives, therapeutic agent

Application in food

Benefits of Nanofood

improved taste, texture, and consistencypreservation (shelf life extension) → enable

the foods to be transported further150-600 nanofoods and 400-500 nano food

packaging applications are on the marketwww-tc.pbs.org

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1017641-risky_business/

Risk Assessmentfood contamination may come from

nano pesticidescontact of food with nanoparticulate-based coatings during preparation or

processing migration of ENMs from food packagingsurface coatings can make non harmful particles highly toxic

lack of dataanimal testing shows potential harm for humans

possible correlation between ENMs and chronic disorders and autoimmune diseases

Risk Assessment - Humansexpose humans to man-made nanoparticles

alter body metabolismAg - “damage cells derived from human and mammalian skin, liver, lung, brain,

vascular, and reproductive tissues”TiO2 - absorbed through the lung or GIT into systemic circulation and then

distributed in the liver, kidneys, spleen, and brainhealth complications

size allows ENMs to enter the food chain and bloodstream undetected and accumulate within tissues and organs

low solubility allows ENMs to cross the “gastrointestinal tract as an intact particle”harm the GIT by interacting with surfaces or inhabitants of the lumen (microbiota)induce oxidative stress, release toxic ions, disrupt electron/ion cell membrane

transport activity and cause oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation

Risk Assessment - EnvironmentENMs may “undergo diverse physical, chemical, and

biological transformations” such as deposition, adsorption, agglomeration, aggregation, and oxidation/reduction reactions

environmental factors (pH, salinity, microbes, natural organic material) may affect the reactivity, mobility, and toxicity of ENMs

ENMs may bioaccumulate () in the food chain

Conclusion

increased use of ENMs in consumer products will increase concern about potential human toxicity and environmental impact

“urgent need to gather information on this subject” to determine: will the potential dangers outweigh the benefits?

References1. http://www.earth911.com/content/uploads/2011/03/Chip-Bags.jpg2. Martirosyan, Alina, and Yves-Jacques Schneider. "Engineered Nanomaterials in

Food: Implication for Food Safety and Consumer Health." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 28 May 2014. Web.