Josef Jampílek1,* And Katarína Kráľová2
1Department of Chemical Drugs, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Czech Republic; E-mail: josef.jampilek@gmail.com
2Institute of Chemistry, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
Applications of nanoformulations in agricultural production and their potential impact on food and human health
Nanoagrochemicals, such as nanopesticides or nanofertilizers, have been primarily designed to decrease dose-dependent toxicity by reduction of the amount of applied compounds through increased solubility of poorly water soluble active ingredients, their enhanced bioavailability, targeted delivery, controlled release and/or protection against degradation. The same reasons led to introduction of nanoformulations of drugs or nanodiagnostics in pharmacy or biomedicine. Nanoencapsulation allows gradual release of the active ingredient into weeds and the body of pests and in the case of nanofertilizers even controlled release of nutrients to plants. Thus less amount of active ingredient is needed to achieve the same effect in comparison with bulk. Ultimately these facts decrease direct environmental burden and bring economic benefits. Nanobiotechnology in agri-food production includes also application of various nanobiosensors (for detection of bacteria, fungi/moulds, insects, pollutants); nanomaterials can be used for plant growth stimulation and by means of DNA and gene delivery for plant breeding. Nanoencapsulated chemicals have been the most frequently produced in the range 100–250 nm, but this is critical particle size for easy permeability of nanoparticles also into human body, affecting vital processes in cells and causing various disorders including cancer. This causal link between nanoengineered agrochemical properties and their biological effects represents an important challenge for nanoecotoxicology and human toxicological studies. This contribution is focused on application of nanoengineered active ingredients as nanopesticides or nanofertilizers. Benefits and risks of nanoagrochemicals are discussed as well.