Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
committee of the European Food Security Authority (EFSA), “the risk assessment
paradigm (hazard identification, hazard characterization, exposure assessment and
risk characterization) is applicable for nanoparticles (EFSA Scientific Committee
2011
). However, risk assessment of these nanoparticles in the food and feed area
should consider the specific properties of the subject nanoparticles in addition to
those common to the equivalent non-nanoforms.” It is most likely that different
types of nanoparticles vary as to their toxicological properties. The available data
on oral exposure to specific nanoparticles and any consequent toxicity are
extremely limited; the majority of the available information on toxicity of
nanoparticles is from in vitro studies or in vivo studies using other routes of
exposure. The risk assessment of nanoparticles has to be performed on a case-by-
case basis. Various parameters may be included in deciding the risk associated with
the use of any particular nanoparticle in food and feed. These include physico-
chemical characterization of nanoparticles, its stability in the food and feed,
exposure scenario of the nanoparticles from food and feed, and toxicokinetics
(absorption, distribution, metabolism/biotransformation, excretion/elimination)
within the human and animal systems. The Nanotechnology Regulatory Science
Research Plan of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lays out a frame-
work and implementation plan to provide coordinated leadership on regulatory
science activities and issues related to FDA-regulated products that either contain
nanoparticles or otherwise involve the application of nanotechnology to address
key scientific gaps in knowledge, methods, or tools needed to make regulatory
assessments of these products (Chaudhry and Castle
2011
).
4.9 Conclusion
Widespread existence of nutrient deficiency in agricultural soils has resulted in
significant decreases in crop productivity and great economic losses in agriculture.
Although application of chemical fertilizers can enhance the crop productivity,
their large-scale use is not a suitable option for long run. Moreover, the available
nutrients present in the bulk chemical forms as delivered by conventional fertilizers
are not fully accessible to plants. In addition, the utilization of most of the
macronutrient is very low due to their inversion to insoluble form in soil. Delivery
of agrochemical substance such as fertilizer supplying macro- and micronutrients to
the plants is an important aspect of application of nanotechnology in agriculture.
Nanoscale or nanostructured materials as fertilizer carrier or controlled-release
vectors for building of the so-called smart fertilizers can enhance the nutrient use
efficiency and reduce the cost of environmental pollution. Nano-fertilizers can
precisely release their active ingredients in responding to environmental triggers
and biological demands. Both in vitro and in vivo methods can be used for nano-
fertilizer delivery to the plants. However, the uptake, translocation, and fate of
nanoparticles in plant system are largely unknown resulting in the rise of various
ethical and safety issues surrounding the use of nano-fertilizers in plant
