Nanoscience in Food and Agriculture 3 (Sustainable Agriculture Reviews Book 23)

This book is the third volume on Nanoscience in Food and Agriculture, published in the Sustainable Agriculture Reviews series. In this book we present ten chapters describing the synthesis and application of nanomaterials for health, food, agriculture and bioremediation. Nanomaterials with unique properties are now being used to improve food and agricultural production. Research on nanomaterials is indeed revealing new applications that were once thought to be imaginary. Specifically, applications lead to higher crop productivity with nanofertilisers, better packaging, longer food shelf life and better sensing of aromas and contaminants. These applications are needed in particular in poor countries where food is scarce and the water quality bad. Nanotechnology also addresses the age old issue of water polluted by industrial, urban and agricultural pollutants. For instance, research produces nanomaterials that clean water more efficiently than classical methods, thus yielding water for drinking and irrigation. However, some nano materials have been found to be toxic. Therefore, nanomaterials should be engineered to be safe for the environment. This book is the third volume on Nanoscience in Food and Agriculture, published in the series Sustainable Agriculture Reviews. Nanomaterials with unique properties are now being used to improve food and agricultural production. Research on nanomaterials is indeed revealing new applications that were once thought to be imaginary. Specifically, applications lead to higher crop productivity with nanofertilisers, better packaging, longer food shelf life and better sensing of aromas and contaminants. These applications are needed in particular in poor countries where food is scarce and the water quality bad. Nanotechnology also addresses the age old issue of water polluted by industrial, urban and agricultural pollutants. For instance, research produces nanomaterials that clean water more efficiently than classical methods, thus yielding water for drinking and irrigation. However, some nanomaterials have been found to be toxic. Therefore, nanomaterials should be engineered to be safe for the environment. In this book we present ten chapters describing the synthesis and application of nanomaterials for health, food, agriculture and bioremediation. Front Matter....Pages i-xiii Fabrication, Characterization and Applications of Metal Oxide-Doped ZnO Hybrid Nanomaterials....Pages 1-29 Nanomaterials: Classification, Biological Synthesis and Characterization....Pages 31-71 Synthesis and Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles....Pages 73-98 Nanoparticles for Agriculture: Synthesis, Classification and Characterization....Pages 99-127 Copper Nanoparticles in Agriculture: Biological Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity....Pages 129-143 Nanoparticles to Sense Food Quality....Pages 145-181 From Nutraceuticals to Nanoceuticals....Pages 183-198 Selective Removal of Nitrate and Phosphate from Wastewater Using Nanoscale Materials....Pages 199-223 Light Driven Nanomaterials for Removal of Agricultural Toxins....Pages 225-242 Nanotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture in India....Pages 243-280 Back Matter....Pages 281-289