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

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

3. 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.

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

5. 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

6. 580 products worldwide and counting! On-line inventory at http://www.nanotechproject.org/44 Applications in the market

7. 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

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

9. Light as plastic, strong as steel New materials

10. 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

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

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

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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. Public awareness

18. 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.

19. Agriculture and Food Want to know more? kantha@corvusblue.net

20. Other resources ETC Group http://www.etcgroup.org Madison's Nano Cafés http://www.nanocafes.org Natural Resources Defense Council http://www.nrdc.org/health/science/nano/contents.asp Dr Gregor Wolbring’s website http://www.bioethicsanddisability.org/nanotechnology.html http://www.innovationwatch.com/commentary_choiceisyours.htm Center for Responsible Nanotechnology http://www.crnano.org/ Workers Health International News, Hazards Magazine http://www.hazards.org/ UK Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering http://www.nanotec.org.uk/

21. QUESTIONS?