25-08-2017, 09:32 PM
Biotechnology and nanotechnology
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Learning objectives
To define biotechnology and nanotechnology.
To understand where increases in the use of biotechnology and nanotechnoogy have occurred.
To understand areas of traditional biotechnology.
To understand areas of modern biotechnology.
To know the food labelling legislation about genetically modified food products.
What is biotechnology?
Biotechnology is the industrial use of biological processes to make products.
Its major uses are in the production or preservation of food.
Increases in biotechnology
Increases in the use of biotechnology by the food industry are due to:
• competition between food companies for an increased market share;
• attempts to increase efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of production;
• consumer demand for convenient, high quality products at reasonable cost.
Modern biotechnology
The emphasis of modern biotechnology is on the production of raw materials and food ingredients.
Work is based on changing the characteristics of plants, animals and micro-organisms, including fungi.
Cell genetics
Every cell in plants and animals, including humans, contains genes.
They are inherited from each parent and passed on to future generations. They carry information about physical characteristics and ‘qualities’.
In the past, plant and animal breeders have had to work through many generations, and so wait for years for improvements to be achieved, e.g. cross breeding pigs to produce pork with more muscle and less fat.
Assessment of novel foods
The Food Standards Agency is the UK body responsible for the assessment of novel foods and it will not assess the safety of using nanotechnology in the food chain unless asked to do so.
There are no specific criteria to consider particle size under the novel Foods Regulation. However, the assessment of the food, or food ingredient includes details of composition, nutritional value, metabolism, intended use and the level of microbiological and chemical contaminants.
Review of the learning objectives
To define biotechnology and nanotechnology.
To understand where increases in the use of biotechnology and nanotechnoogy have occurred.
To understand areas of traditional biotechnology.
To understand areas of modern biotechnology.
To know the food labelling legislation about genetically modified food products.