ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology has become one of the most important vital sciences inthe current era. Applications of nanotechnology grow rapidly and cover many fields indifferent ways. It covers virtually everyaspect, in water purification, food processing and packaging, animal fodder, and aquiculture. The important role of nanomaterials in agricultural science is demonstrated by their application to fertilizer compounds in supplying necessary nutrition to growing plants, including using nanoscale fertilizer inputs, nanomaterial additives, nanocoatings, and using nanomaterials as carriers for fertilizers. Furthermore, this modern technology has made some progress in other agricultural aspects, such as reproductive science and technology, conversion of agricultural and food wastes to energy, and other useful byproducts through enzymatic nanobioprocessing, disease prevention, and the treatment of plants using various nanoscale devices with novel properties. The usage of botanical insecticides associated with nanotechnology offers considerable potential to increase agricultural productivity, while at the same time reducing impacts on the environment and human health. Nanoparticle-mediated gene transfer methods are new and have the potential to transfer DNA directly into cells, achieving stable integration and rapid expression of the transgene. Nanoparticles, which can be used as a vector for gene transfer, include calcium phosphate, carbon based silica, gold, magnetite, strontium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, and manganese phosphate. Different nanotechnologies have been used to attempt to develop low energy alternatives. The most promising technologies appear to be protein polymer biomimetic membranes, aligned-carbon nanotube membranes, and thin film nanocomposite membranes. Some of these membranes can also integrate other functionalities such as disinfection, de-odoring, de-fouling, and self-cleaning. Additionally, nanotools can be applied to enhance the safety of animal feed and waste. Nanotechnology may significantly improve the nutrient profiles and efficiency of minor nutrient delivery of feeds. Furthermore, nanotechnology offers numerous features in detection and diagnostics, including high specificity and sensitivity, simultaneous detection of multiple targets, rapid, robust, onboard signal processing, communication, automation, convenient to use, and low cost. The uses of portable, implantable or wearable devices are particularly welcome in agricultural field applications. Nanotechnology-enabled catalysts will play a critical role in efficient and cost effective bioconversion and fuel cells for electricity production as well as enabling efficient energy storage which will greatly facilitate and benefit the development of distributed energy supplies, especially in rural communities where infrastructure is lacking. Hydrogels, nanoclays, and nanozeolites have been reported to enhance the water-holding capacity of soil, hence acting as a slow release source of water, reducing the hydric shortage periods during the crop season. Applications of such systems are favorable for both agricultural purposes and reforestation of degraded areas. The importance of nanotechnology in thefood sector is due to its entry into many areas of food security and food systems, such as detection of pathogens, savingfood, disease treatment delivery methods, protection of the environment, pollutionreduction, and new tools for molecular and cellular biology. Furthermore, nanotecnology tools are used to increase the security of the food manufacturing industry by the shipping and processing of food products through sensors designed to detect pathogens and contaminants.
