Sludge Watch ==> BEWARE: Nanosilver now touted as 'food safety'!

[Maureen Reilly]

Sludgewatch Admin:

This is a perfect example of how human beings are clever enough and 
enterprising enough to get ourselves into terrible trouble.  Here is a story 
that explains that they have no research into the impact of nano silver in 
human beings, aquatic biota, or the environment but the headline says it 
could improve food safety.   Nanosilver has already been introduced into the 
market place in the Samsung SilverClean Washing Maching, and in clothing.

We need sober minds reviewing these technologies before they come out of the 
lab.  But as we see they have already crawled out of the lab into the 
laundry room, and may already be curled up in your sock drawer....ready to 
spring into the kitchen.

..............................................................................................


Nanoparticles could improve food safety
By Annie Launois

11-Apr-2008

Silver nanoparticles could improve the safety of the world's food supply, 
according to a research project at Iowa State University.

Silver nanoparticles cannot currently be added directly to foods as little 
is known about their adverse effects on human health and their impact on 
ecological systems.

However, the university's current research programme is examining how silver 
nanoparticules could work as an antimicrobial in foods, with the goal of 
developing food-related applications such as microbe-resistant fabrics or 
non-biofouling surfaces.

Silver nanoparticles are emerging as one of the fastest growing 
nanomaterials with wide applications.

However, Brehm-Stecher, an Iowa State University assistant professor in food 
science and human nutrition, admitted that the science of silver 
nanoparticles on food is currently at a basic point. Brehm-Stecher hopes 
that his research could change this.

Nanotechnology in food

Nanotechnology, which uses tiny particles measuring one billionth of a 
metre, is already used for various applications in areas such as food 
supplements, functional food ingredients and in food packaging.

In broad terms, nanotechnology refers to controlling matter at an atomic or 
molecular scale of between one and 100 nanometres (nm) - one millionth of a 
millimetre.

At present, the main uses for foods are said to be in food packaging and 
barrier materials, with some applications in nutraceutical delivery. Other 
uses under investigation include processing - such as programming of foods 
to release flavour at a particular time, or nutrients in a certain part of 
the body where they can have an effect.

Tiny silver

Silver is thought to have anti-microbial properties, and according to 
Brehm-Stecher, research has found that impregnating other materials with 
silver nanoparticles is a practical way to exploit its germ-fighting 
properties.

Major consumer goods manufacturers already produce goods that utilise the 
antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles. Current applications for 
silver nanoparticle-impregnated materials include household items, clothing 
(for example, socks to prevent foot infections for soldiers deployed in 
jungles), and laundry detergents.


In the food industry, the technology has a variety of uses including 
detecting bacteria in packaging. Silver nanoparticles are already being used 
in food packaging to extend the shelf life of fruits by soaking up the 
plant-ripening hormone ethylene, Brehm-Stecher explained.

Concerns

However, despite the potential that nanotechnology could hold for the food 
sector, the technology has suffered from a lack of public understanding and 
consumer concerns over the safety of some of its applications.

As a result, recent research and development efforts have focused on the 
impact of further developments in the uses of nanotechnology on health and 
the environment.

Brehm-Stecher explained that Iowa University's research hopes to learn more 
about how silver nanoparticles exert their antimicrobial activities by 
testing QSI-Nano Silver for its ability to interact with microbial cells.

QSI-Nano silver is a metallic nano material supplied by QuantumSphere, a 
manufacturer of metallic nanopowders, which worked with Brehm-Stecher on the 
project.

"This may lead to new approaches for killing foodborne pathogens and 
enhancing food safety," Brehm-Stecher said.

QSI-Nano Silver is prepared from pure metallic silver that is vaporised in 
the presence of an inert gas, then condensed under controlled conditions to 
form discrete particles smaller than 100 nanometers in diameter.

"One of the things we do in my lab is to develop multi-ingredient 
antimicrobial mixtures. I was interested in finding antimicrobials that 
would be physically compatible with other compounds that we're working with. 
It looked like the nanoparticles could provide us with a good solution," 
said Brehm-Stecher.


http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=84601-nanotechnology