Development of nano-scale technologies for food safety protection

Improving Life through Science and Technology.

Development of nano-scale technologies for food safety protection

Matthew Taylor, Ph.D.

Department of Animal Science, Texas AgriLife ResearchSeptember 14, 2011

Nanotechnology Significance

“Nanotechnology holds great promise for the development of new treatments and diagnostics.”

Andrew Von Eschenbach, MDFDA Commissioner, 2007

FDA Nanotechnology Task Force Report, 2007

Global Nanotechnology Research Funding

Adapted from Bugusu (2010). Food Technology (www.ift.org)

Nano-materials in Foods

• Naturally occurring– Food macro-, micro-components &

nutrients– DNA, RNA– Casein micelles

• Synthetic systems– Encapsulates– Nano-wires– Biosensors

Nano-materials entry into foods

Magnuson et al. 2011. J. Food Sci. 76:R126.

Food Safety Applications of Nanotechnology

• Antimicrobial encapsulation/delivery strategies– Encapsulates– Nano-wires

• Active packaging/antimicrobial-bearing films

• Pathogen detection/diagnostics– Biosensors

Nanotechnologies: Regulatory Concerns

• Definition of nano and engineered versus naturally occurring

• Purpose(s) of engineered nanotechnology use in foods

• Detection of nanomaterial presence in foods

• Characterization of interactions with food components

• Safety and toxicity of nanomaterials

Antimicrobial Encapsulations

Liposomes, Micelles– Self-directed

formation– Entrapment rate

can be high– Formed from

lipids dispersed in aqueous systems

– Not long-term stable without post-formation modifications

Liposomal Formulations

Taylor et al. 2006. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 45:587.

L. monocytogenes Inhibition in Milk with Liposomal Nisin (50 IU/ml) at 20°C

Schmidt et al. 2009. Probiotics Antimicrob. Prot. 1:152-8.

E. coli O157:H7 Inhibition in 2% Milk with 0.5% Eugenol Microemulsions

Gaysinsky et al. 2007. J. Food Protect. 70: 2631-7.

Assay Detection Limit

Polymeric Encapsulate Research

• Β-Cyclodextrins

• Antimicrobials (Essential Oils)– Carvacrol– Thymol

Texas A&M Nanotechnology Research in Food Safety• Dairy (Fluid Milk): Liposomes with

entrapped nisin inhibit Listeria monocytogenes (Schmidt et al. 2009)

• Fresh Produce (Pre-, Post-Harvest)–Micellar organic acids, essential oils–Field application, packing house–Pathogen inhibition–USDA Funding: NIFSI, AFRI

• Processed/RTE poultry: Incorporated pre-lethality for L. monocytogenes control post-processing–Corporately sponsored–Validation of antimicrobial activity

Forced nano-particle/pathogen interaction on produce surfaces

Collaborators (TAMU)

• Investigators:– Elsa Murano– Alex Castillo– Luis Cisneros-

Zevallos– Carmen Gomes– Christine Alvarado

• Graduates:– Laura Hill (PhD)– Keila Perez (PhD)– Songsirin

Ruengvisesh (PhD)– Shannon Schmidt

(MS)

T. Matthew Taylor, PhD

• 310 Kleberg Animal and Food Sciences Center, College Station, TX, 77843-2471

• P: 979.862.7678; F: 979.862.3475• Email: [email protected]

• http://animalscience.tamu.edu/facultystaff/faculty/taylor.htm

Thank you!