NANOTECHNOLOGY 101 A Primer Kantha Shelke, Ph.D. Natural Product Expo West March 5-8, 2009

OUTLINE What is nanotechnology? Applications in the market Future applications Safety matters Educational Resources Properties of materials change drastically at the nanoscale.

What is Nanotechnology? “The art and science of building stuff that does stuff at the nanometer scale” “The art and science of building stuff that does stuff at the nanometer scale” Mother Nature has dealt adeptly with nutrition at nanoscale. Intentional modification of matter at the nanoscale level is very recent.

MACRO NANO < 100 nanometer 1 nanometer = one billionth of one meter Putting things in perspective

The uniqueness of nano Properties of matter change at the nano scale Zinc, white and opaque in macro form, is transparent in the nano form New applications for old materials

580 products worldwide and counting! On-line inventory at Applications in the market

Food enterprises Kraft Nestle Unilever Pepsi Co. Cargill Mars BASF Syngenta DuPont Bayer ~ 60 govts world-wide More bang for the buck! 84 products – that we know of

Applications Dietary supplements Nutritional additives Color additives Food processing aids Long-life packaging Antibacterial kitchenware Fertilizers and pesticides Source: Aquanova

Light as plastic, strong as steel New materials

Potential Nutritional Benefits Enhanced nutritional value Protection of vulnerable nutrients Improved efficacy of fortification Enhanced bioavailability – better nutrition Targeted delivery – targeted nutrition Safer drinking water

Emerging applications Interactive, personalized foods Edible wrappers and packaging Chemical release packaging Interactive agrochemicals Nano manipulation of seeds Synthetic biology

Transforming junk foods Reduce sugars and sweeteners Reduce fat Enhance fiber Enhance nutrient content

CLEAN & SAFE WATER Anytime, anywhere Making a difference in the world

SAFETY MATTERS Is nano safe? Inhalation and ingestion risks Penetrate skin barriers Access to tissues and cells Cross the blood-brain barrier

Toxicity – examples Nano silver – toxic to rodent liver, brain and stem cells; may harm beneficial bacteria Nano zinc oxide – toxic to rat and human cells Nano silicon dioxide – can cause onset of pathology similar to neurodegenerative disorders Nano titanium dioxide – can damage DNA in human cells, harm alga and water fleas, especially with UV light exposure Distorts immune system response

Are WE safe? Inadequate oversight system Generic deficiencies of regulations Gaps in regulatory authority Lack of resources (financial and human) and expertise at regulatory agencies

Public awareness

Nanotechnology will have a profound impact on raw material sourcing for food processing and will radically change how foods will affect our physiology and well- being.

Agriculture and Food Want to know more?

Other resources ETC Group Madison's Nano Cafés Natural Resources Defense Council Dr Gregor Wolbring’s website Center for Responsible Nanotechnology Workers Health International News, Hazards Magazine UK Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering

QUESTIONS?