The main goal of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals is to eliminate hunger by 2030. Almost a billion people are still suffering from the effects of malnutrition. Furthermore, rising population and climate change will increase the burden on food production and distribution stakeholders. To achieve sustainable food production capable of feeding the future population, resources must be used in a sustainable manner. Current agricultural practices that emerged during the green revolution are no longer viable. Nanomaterials may play an important role in the future of agriculture and food production in the recent era of evolving precision farming/site-specific crops. The most promising application of nanotechnology is in smart crop and food production processes.
The goal of sustainably meeting future demands for food engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) has the potential to start a new revolution in agriculture by providing high resolution and real-time sensors that can monitor spatial and temporal changes in crop health, in conjunction with recent emerging tools such as information technology, artificial intelligence, and gene editing tools such as CRISPR-Cas9. Through more efficient delivery mechanisms, the ENMs can also improve the efficiency of all agri-inputs in current cropping systems. In addition, plant nanobionics research and development will provide plants with novel augmented functions to help them perform better under adverse environmental stresses in a rapidly changing climate. ENMs are excellent platforms for driving the food-technology revolution.
Food packaging development is the most researched and commercially viable area of nanotechnology applications. This includes improving the barrier properties of packaging materials, incorporating active components that can introduce novel functional characteristics in conventional active packaging, and intelligent sensing and remote signaling of relevant information about the food ingredient. These nano-enabled packaging materials may increase the shelf life of food or alert consumers to food spoilage. Another application of nanostructures in the food industry is to improve food ingredient bioavailability and control the release of nutraceuticals at the target site. They can also be used as anticaking agents, nano-additives, and other similar applications. Nanomaterials' combined application in the agri-food sector makes them a versatile resource for the future. However, the successful application of nanotechnology in sustainable agriculture will require a concerted effort to overcome the challenges that have yet to be addressed.
The proposed Research Topic focuses on increasing plant productivity, using agri-inputs more sustainably, and maintaining a balance of soil and plant health. This Research Topic will also cover the various applications of nanomaterials in food processing and safety. Original research papers, case studies, and reviews that provide a forward-looking perspective on the most promising opportunities for nanomaterials and nanotechnology approaches for the agri-food NextGen revolution will be welcomed. Finally, this Research Topic will also highlight the fundamental challenges that exist in the application of nanotools for sustainable agriculture, as well as the research required to address these challenges.
The following themes will be welcomed:
• Genetic improvement of crop plants with nanomaterials
• Nanoparticles to protect crop plants against biotic and abiotic stresses
• Targeted delivery of ENMs to specific locations in plants
• Improving nutrient utilization efficiency in crops
• Groundwater and wastewater remediation by removing pollutants
• (Bio)chemical sensors for minimizing post-harvest losses or household food waste
The main goal of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals is to eliminate hunger by 2030. Almost a billion people are still suffering from the effects of malnutrition. Furthermore, rising population and climate change will increase the burden on food production and distribution stakeholders. To achieve sustainable food production capable of feeding the future population, resources must be used in a sustainable manner. Current agricultural practices that emerged during the green revolution are no longer viable. Nanomaterials may play an important role in the future of agriculture and food production in the recent era of evolving precision farming/site-specific crops. The most promising application of nanotechnology is in smart crop and food production processes.
The goal of sustainably meeting future demands for food engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) has the potential to start a new revolution in agriculture by providing high resolution and real-time sensors that can monitor spatial and temporal changes in crop health, in conjunction with recent emerging tools such as information technology, artificial intelligence, and gene editing tools such as CRISPR-Cas9. Through more efficient delivery mechanisms, the ENMs can also improve the efficiency of all agri-inputs in current cropping systems. In addition, plant nanobionics research and development will provide plants with novel augmented functions to help them perform better under adverse environmental stresses in a rapidly changing climate. ENMs are excellent platforms for driving the food-technology revolution.
Food packaging development is the most researched and commercially viable area of nanotechnology applications. This includes improving the barrier properties of packaging materials, incorporating active components that can introduce novel functional characteristics in conventional active packaging, and intelligent sensing and remote signaling of relevant information about the food ingredient. These nano-enabled packaging materials may increase the shelf life of food or alert consumers to food spoilage. Another application of nanostructures in the food industry is to improve food ingredient bioavailability and control the release of nutraceuticals at the target site. They can also be used as anticaking agents, nano-additives, and other similar applications. Nanomaterials' combined application in the agri-food sector makes them a versatile resource for the future. However, the successful application of nanotechnology in sustainable agriculture will require a concerted effort to overcome the challenges that have yet to be addressed.
The proposed Research Topic focuses on increasing plant productivity, using agri-inputs more sustainably, and maintaining a balance of soil and plant health. This Research Topic will also cover the various applications of nanomaterials in food processing and safety. Original research papers, case studies, and reviews that provide a forward-looking perspective on the most promising opportunities for nanomaterials and nanotechnology approaches for the agri-food NextGen revolution will be welcomed. Finally, this Research Topic will also highlight the fundamental challenges that exist in the application of nanotools for sustainable agriculture, as well as the research required to address these challenges.
The following themes will be welcomed:
• Genetic improvement of crop plants with nanomaterials
• Nanoparticles to protect crop plants against biotic and abiotic stresses
• Targeted delivery of ENMs to specific locations in plants
• Improving nutrient utilization efficiency in crops
• Groundwater and wastewater remediation by removing pollutants
• (Bio)chemical sensors for minimizing post-harvest losses or household food waste
