**5. Application of nanobiosensor in agriculture**

Nanotechnology is basically dealing with smallest particles which plays important role in fixing problems exist in agriculture that cannot be solved through existing approaches. The development in synthesis of new nanomaterial and nano-devices depict novel applications in agriculture. One of the applications of nanotechnology is formation of superior biosensors that leads to development of miniature structures known as nanobiosensors, that are greater efficient and well organized when compared to traditional biosensors. Nanobiosensors can be used effectively in agriculture for sensing soil pH, moisture, wide variety of pathogens, plant hormones, plant metabolites, pesticide, herbicide, fertilizers, and metal ions. Appropriate and controlled use of nanobiosensor can support sustainable agriculture for improving crop productivity. It can also help in controlled use of agricultural inputs there by control pollution and lowering cost of cultivation [97].

### **5.1 Nanobiosensor in crop stress management**

Crop growth and production undergo for various stress such as biotic, abiotic and nutritional stress. The plant hormones also called as phytohormones play an important role in control and regulation of physiological processes of development and much importantly involved in the stress response and regulation in plants. Abiotic and biotic stress are inducing various unusual chemical metabolites and different plant hormones in the plants, in order to make necessary arrangements to face the adverse condition in the surrounding environment. For addressing problems related to imbalance of phytohormones and related consequences, nanobiosensors have played a pivotal role in term of detection. So that further recovery action of the plant can be taken very quickly, it prevent the considerable amount of plant damage and yield reduction. Nanobiosensors have most significantly contributed to achieve the ever existing goal of precision in agriculture. For abscisic acid detection, a label-free electrochemical impedance immunosensor has been developed using an anti-ABA antibody that is adsorbed on to a porous nanogold film [98]. With the same biosensing technique different matrices have been tried to obtain desired output. The results indicated that the abscisic acid in plants can be detected successfully using an antobody based nanobiosensor. Gibberellic acid (GA) is detected in the hybrid rice grain samples by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy fabricated with successful grown porous nanogold film and consequently modification of the glassy carbon electrode [99]. Simple amperometric biosensor developed by graphite coated with polypyrrole (PPy) for the determination of salicylic acid in samples of plasma and milk [100]. A real time highly selective nanobiosensor developed for determination of cytokinins and auxion concentrations in tomato xylem sap exudates [101, 102]. It is recommended that precautions are better than cure or remedies in case of plant stresses otherwise at the calamity stage it will cause huge crop loss and poor quality of the produce. Presently, it has been observed that the operational stability of the biosensor is limiting its technological implications in agricultural sector. But this early detection of the alarming stress conditions (Biotic and abiotic stress) of plants will be possible in future with complete growth of nanobiosensing technology. In this direction, some nanobiosensors have been developed to detect indicators or signalling compounds

**205**

*Perspectives of Nano-Materials and Nanobiosensors in Food Safety and Agriculture*

of stress conditions of plants. Recently, to analyse the jasmonate signalling in plants, a fluorescence based biosensor has been developed that exclusively provides data about hormone distribution in conditions of plant abiotic and biotic stresses [103]. Water is important not only for photosynthesis, but also for flow of nutrients and many microelements necessary for healthy crop. An optical fluorescence biosensor for plant water stress detection has been reported [104]. Deficiency of macro and micro nutrients will affect the plant growth, physical strength, grain formation and yield. Detection of the deficient nutrient by nanosensor will help to improve the plant growth and yield; also prevent excess unwanted nutrient application. Enzyme based phosphate biosensors with fluorescent nanoparticles using fluorescence transduction mechanism for specific and rapid detection of phosphate and other

Nanosensors are very minute and it can sense the soil condition, irrigation requirement, pH of the water and soil, nutrient requirement, disease and pest incidence, soil temperature like many important paramaters by scattering all over the field. Based upon the parameter recorded by the nanosensor, need based action will increase the crop yields and reduces the unwanted manpower resourses like fertilizer, pesticide etc. This nanosensor concept fitting well with the precision farming or smart farming goal. Nanosensors, made up of non-biological materials, such as carbon nanotubes, have ability to sense and signal, acting as wireless nanoantennas, because of their small dimensions, can collect information from numerous different points [107]. External devices can then integrate the data to automatically generate incredibly detailed report and respond to potentially devastating changes in their environment. For instance, connected nanosensors for monitoring soil or plant conditions can alert automatically according to conditions detected by sensors and therefore influence more efficient usage of the fertilizers, herbicide, pesticide, insecticide, etc. Nanobiosensors are now developed with all integrated devices such as power source, sensing unit, detector and display unit in a single chip for detecting the plant stress indicators [108, 109]. For that various indicative signals such as increase in sucrose content [110], change in concentration of nutrients [111, 112] and hormones [103] etc. can be used to further transform these in to visual indica-

tion through biosensing technology of processing signals [111, 113].

**5.3 Nanobiosensors to maintain seed purity**

Nanoscale devices are envisioned that would have the capability to detect and treat diseases, nutrient deficiencies or any other maladies in crops long before symptoms were visually exhibited. This is the future of agriculture, an army of nano-sensors will be scattered like dust across the farms and fields, working like the eyes, ears and noses of the farming world. These tiny wireless sensors are capable to communicate the information they sense. These are programmed and designed to respond various parameters like variation in temperature, humidity and nutrients. The distributed intelligence of smart particles can be networked to respond immediately to any change in environment, hence giving an alert in advance to devise ways and means to deal with environmental variations. By smart dust and gas sensors it is possible to evaluate the amount of pollutants in the environment. The most efficacious approach in this sense is real time detection of parameters by the use of autonomous sensors connected to global positioning system (GPS) [114–117].

Seed production is very difficult process particularly in wind pollinated crops since pollen can fly for long distance. Humidity, wind speed, temperature are some

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95345*

nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium and zinc [105, 106].

**5.2 Nanobiosensors in smart farming**

*Perspectives of Nano-Materials and Nanobiosensors in Food Safety and Agriculture DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95345*

of stress conditions of plants. Recently, to analyse the jasmonate signalling in plants, a fluorescence based biosensor has been developed that exclusively provides data about hormone distribution in conditions of plant abiotic and biotic stresses [103]. Water is important not only for photosynthesis, but also for flow of nutrients and many microelements necessary for healthy crop. An optical fluorescence biosensor for plant water stress detection has been reported [104]. Deficiency of macro and micro nutrients will affect the plant growth, physical strength, grain formation and yield. Detection of the deficient nutrient by nanosensor will help to improve the plant growth and yield; also prevent excess unwanted nutrient application. Enzyme based phosphate biosensors with fluorescent nanoparticles using fluorescence transduction mechanism for specific and rapid detection of phosphate and other nutrients such as nitrogen, calcium and zinc [105, 106].

#### **5.2 Nanobiosensors in smart farming**

*Novel Nanomaterials*

in apricot [94, 95]. Olfactory receptors-functionalized carbon nanotubes-based transistor has been documented for the selective detection of hexanal as olfactory

Nanotechnology is basically dealing with smallest particles which plays impor-

Crop growth and production undergo for various stress such as biotic, abiotic and nutritional stress. The plant hormones also called as phytohormones play an important role in control and regulation of physiological processes of development and much importantly involved in the stress response and regulation in plants. Abiotic and biotic stress are inducing various unusual chemical metabolites and different plant hormones in the plants, in order to make necessary arrangements to face the adverse condition in the surrounding environment. For addressing problems related to imbalance of phytohormones and related consequences, nanobiosensors have played a pivotal role in term of detection. So that further recovery action of the plant can be taken very quickly, it prevent the considerable amount of plant damage and yield reduction. Nanobiosensors have most significantly contributed to achieve the ever existing goal of precision in agriculture. For abscisic acid detection, a label-free electrochemical impedance immunosensor has been developed using an anti-ABA antibody that is adsorbed on to a porous nanogold film [98]. With the same biosensing technique different matrices have been tried to obtain desired output. The results indicated that the abscisic acid in plants can be detected successfully using an antobody based nanobiosensor. Gibberellic acid (GA) is detected in the hybrid rice grain samples by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy fabricated with successful grown porous nanogold film and consequently modification of the glassy carbon electrode [99]. Simple amperometric biosensor developed by graphite coated with polypyrrole (PPy) for the determination of salicylic acid in samples of plasma and milk [100]. A real time highly selective nanobiosensor developed for determination of cytokinins and auxion concentrations in tomato xylem sap exudates [101, 102]. It is recommended that precautions are better than cure or remedies in case of plant stresses otherwise at the calamity stage it will cause huge crop loss and poor quality of the produce. Presently, it has been observed that the operational stability of the biosensor is limiting its technological implications in agricultural sector. But this early detection of the alarming stress conditions (Biotic and abiotic stress) of plants will be possible in future with complete growth of nanobiosensing technology. In this direction, some nanobiosensors have been developed to detect indicators or signalling compounds

tant role in fixing problems exist in agriculture that cannot be solved through existing approaches. The development in synthesis of new nanomaterial and nano-devices depict novel applications in agriculture. One of the applications of nanotechnology is formation of superior biosensors that leads to development of miniature structures known as nanobiosensors, that are greater efficient and well organized when compared to traditional biosensors. Nanobiosensors can be used effectively in agriculture for sensing soil pH, moisture, wide variety of pathogens, plant hormones, plant metabolites, pesticide, herbicide, fertilizers, and metal ions. Appropriate and controlled use of nanobiosensor can support sustainable agriculture for improving crop productivity. It can also help in controlled use of agricultural inputs there by control pollution and lowering cost of cultivation [97].

indicator of spoiled milk and oxidized food [96].

**5.1 Nanobiosensor in crop stress management**

**5. Application of nanobiosensor in agriculture**

**204**

Nanosensors are very minute and it can sense the soil condition, irrigation requirement, pH of the water and soil, nutrient requirement, disease and pest incidence, soil temperature like many important paramaters by scattering all over the field. Based upon the parameter recorded by the nanosensor, need based action will increase the crop yields and reduces the unwanted manpower resourses like fertilizer, pesticide etc. This nanosensor concept fitting well with the precision farming or smart farming goal. Nanosensors, made up of non-biological materials, such as carbon nanotubes, have ability to sense and signal, acting as wireless nanoantennas, because of their small dimensions, can collect information from numerous different points [107]. External devices can then integrate the data to automatically generate incredibly detailed report and respond to potentially devastating changes in their environment. For instance, connected nanosensors for monitoring soil or plant conditions can alert automatically according to conditions detected by sensors and therefore influence more efficient usage of the fertilizers, herbicide, pesticide, insecticide, etc. Nanobiosensors are now developed with all integrated devices such as power source, sensing unit, detector and display unit in a single chip for detecting the plant stress indicators [108, 109]. For that various indicative signals such as increase in sucrose content [110], change in concentration of nutrients [111, 112] and hormones [103] etc. can be used to further transform these in to visual indication through biosensing technology of processing signals [111, 113].

Nanoscale devices are envisioned that would have the capability to detect and treat diseases, nutrient deficiencies or any other maladies in crops long before symptoms were visually exhibited. This is the future of agriculture, an army of nano-sensors will be scattered like dust across the farms and fields, working like the eyes, ears and noses of the farming world. These tiny wireless sensors are capable to communicate the information they sense. These are programmed and designed to respond various parameters like variation in temperature, humidity and nutrients. The distributed intelligence of smart particles can be networked to respond immediately to any change in environment, hence giving an alert in advance to devise ways and means to deal with environmental variations. By smart dust and gas sensors it is possible to evaluate the amount of pollutants in the environment. The most efficacious approach in this sense is real time detection of parameters by the use of autonomous sensors connected to global positioning system (GPS) [114–117].

#### **5.3 Nanobiosensors to maintain seed purity**

Seed production is very difficult process particularly in wind pollinated crops since pollen can fly for long distance. Humidity, wind speed, temperature are some of the factor affect the pollen plight Very effective method to ensure the genetic purity is the detecting pollen load that cause contamination. Bionanosensors can be used to identify the specific contaminating pollen and thus reduces contamination. Novel genes are being incorporated into/seeds and sold in the market. Tracking of sold seeds could be done with the help of nanobarcodes [118] that are encodable, machine - readable, durable and sub-micron sized taggants [119, 120].

## **5.4 Nanobiosensor for disease detection**

Frequently recurring diseases are considered as one of the major factors limiting the crop productivity. Early prediction of the occurrence is the only prevention to eradicate diseases at the root. Such devices can diagnose plant health issues before these actually get visible to the farmer. Antibody conjugated nanoparticles are used to detect *Xanthomonas axonopodis* that causes bacterial spot disease [121]. Optical immunosensors based on Gold nanoparticle and antibody conjugated Fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNPs) are being used to detect the karnal bunt disease in wheat and bacterial spot diseases (*Xanthomonas axonopodis* pv. *vesicatoria*) in *Solanaceae* plant respectively [121, 122]. Due to the unique optical properties of Quantum dots (QD) [123] they are used for detection of witches' broom disease of lime (WBDL) caused by *Candidatus* Phytoplasma aurantifolia (*Ca.* P. aurantifolia) using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism [124].

Many novel sensor fabricated with nanomaterials have been explored in order to obtain high sensitivity and low limits of detection [125–129]. Methyl salicylate is a volatile compound synthesized more by plant during infection stage, so detection of methyl salicylate or other volatile organic compounds specific for particular diseases will be more helpful to identify the diseases before forming symptoms and to take proper control measures in initial stage itself. Gold nanoparticle and semiconductive metal oxide nanoparticles based amperometric biosensors are used to detect diseases causing different types of bacteria, viruses and fungi [130–134].

#### **5.5 Assessment of harvest index by nanobiosensor**

As harvesting of proper mature fruits and vegetables ensure good quality and consumer acceptability, sensing maturity of agricultural produce is very important for good post-harvest quality and enhanced shelf life. The overmature fruits/ vegetables will over ripe and have to be discarded, while immature fruits/vegetables will lead to inferior eating quality for consumers. Thus only proper mature fruits/ vegetables should be harvested at proper time. Physio chemical properties of horticultural crops like fruits and vegetables are linked with their maturity. Changes of these characters are linked to the maturity and real time measurement of these characters will guide the harvesting of crops at proper mature stage only. Nanobiosensors are used for measurement of intrinsic quality attributes of horticultural crops such as ascorbic acid [135], total phenolic compounds [136] and L-arginine [137]. As the crop attains maturity, it is harvested and stored for further processing.

#### **5.6 Biosensors for heavy metal deposits in soil and water**

Plants need many elements in the trace level for their healthy growth and metabolism. Soil, water and air are the major source of these elements and plants obtained nutrients from these sources. Accumulation of these heavy metals and elements more than the optimum level cause serious problem to the plants there by to the human up on the food consumption. Heavy metals such as nickel,

**207**

*Perspectives of Nano-Materials and Nanobiosensors in Food Safety and Agriculture*

mercury [138], arsenic [139], lead [140], chromium [141], cadmium and copper [142] are commonly found in contaminated soils [143]. The presence of heavy metals increases oxidative stress in plants, which further triggers synthesis of

In a research study for simultaneous detection of mercury (Hg2+) and silver

) ions in drinking water, serum and cell lysate, tungsten disulfide-nanosheets (WS2) based biosensing platform has been developed. The study has implications in environmental monitoring and diagnosis [145]. Heavy metals such as Pb, Ni, Cd, Zn, Co, and Al are detected effectively by cantilever nanobiosensors with phospha-

Inexpensive sensors, cloud computing and intelligent software, hold the poten-

Latest improvements in nanotechnology and information and communications technology (ICT) exhibit its great potential towards the agri-food sector. Increased fertilizer efficiency, enhancing the plant nutrient absorbtion, Improved quality of the soil, stimulation of plant growth, the use of precise farming, enhancing the food safety, food processing and pakage, distribution and storage, are some of the benefits of nano-based technology in agricultural and food industry. Efficiency and accuracy of the biosensor on detection of agricultural and food safety parameters will be enhanced by the integration of the nanomaterials. The application of biosensor and its efficiency can also be improved further in future by developing of novel nanomaterials that will boost the agriculture and food sector. Therefore, the full potential of nanotechnology in the agri-food sector is yet to be realized. In the coming decades the convergence among nanotechnology, agriculture engineering, and plant science will lead the path towards food security, sustainability, precision agriculture, automation, robotic farming and cost effective technologies. This

innovation in technology has important consequences in agriculture.

tial to transform the agri-food sector. Internet of Things (IoT), is an emerging field in which many more instruments are interconnected to the user agricultural field and internet will increase the precision of the agriculture there by maintain the sustainability and cost effectiveness of agricultural production. The joint application of nanotechnology in IoT creates a new things, namely the Internet of Nano Things (IoNT). Nanosensors, because of their small dimensions, can collect information from numerous different points [107]. External devices can then integrate the data to automatically generate incredibly detailed report and respond to potentially devastating changes in their environment. For instance, connected nanosensors for monitoring soil or plant conditions can alert automatically according to conditions detected by sensors and therefore influence more efficient usage of the fertilizers, herbicide, pesticide, insecticide, etc. Involving nanosensors in the design of smart or intelligent packaging, enable the transfer of information regarding product conditions during distribution or storage. The response generated due to changes related to internal or external environmental factor, are recorded through specific sensors [147, 148] and data are stored in the database. So at any time, from any where those data and parameters related to soil and plant health can be accessed via Internet. Rapid response and detections of unusual parameters' values, are enabled to increase the food quality and safety, that directly influence

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95345*

tase alkaline in water [146].

**5.7 Nanosensors in storage**

to human health.

**6. Conclusion**

(Ag<sup>+</sup>

pigments like chlorophyll and βcarotene [141, 144].

*Perspectives of Nano-Materials and Nanobiosensors in Food Safety and Agriculture DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95345*

mercury [138], arsenic [139], lead [140], chromium [141], cadmium and copper [142] are commonly found in contaminated soils [143]. The presence of heavy metals increases oxidative stress in plants, which further triggers synthesis of pigments like chlorophyll and βcarotene [141, 144].

In a research study for simultaneous detection of mercury (Hg2+) and silver (Ag<sup>+</sup> ) ions in drinking water, serum and cell lysate, tungsten disulfide-nanosheets (WS2) based biosensing platform has been developed. The study has implications in environmental monitoring and diagnosis [145]. Heavy metals such as Pb, Ni, Cd, Zn, Co, and Al are detected effectively by cantilever nanobiosensors with phosphatase alkaline in water [146].

#### **5.7 Nanosensors in storage**

*Novel Nanomaterials*

of the factor affect the pollen plight Very effective method to ensure the genetic purity is the detecting pollen load that cause contamination. Bionanosensors can be used to identify the specific contaminating pollen and thus reduces contamination. Novel genes are being incorporated into/seeds and sold in the market. Tracking of sold seeds could be done with the help of nanobarcodes [118] that are encodable,

Frequently recurring diseases are considered as one of the major factors limiting the crop productivity. Early prediction of the occurrence is the only prevention to eradicate diseases at the root. Such devices can diagnose plant health issues before these actually get visible to the farmer. Antibody conjugated nanoparticles are used to detect *Xanthomonas axonopodis* that causes bacterial spot disease [121]. Optical immunosensors based on Gold nanoparticle and antibody conjugated Fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNPs) are being used to detect the karnal bunt disease in wheat and bacterial spot diseases (*Xanthomonas axonopodis* pv. *vesicatoria*) in *Solanaceae* plant respectively [121, 122]. Due to the unique optical properties of Quantum dots (QD) [123] they are used for detection of witches' broom disease of lime (WBDL) caused by *Candidatus* Phytoplasma aurantifolia (*Ca.* P. aurantifolia)

machine - readable, durable and sub-micron sized taggants [119, 120].

using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism [124].

**5.5 Assessment of harvest index by nanobiosensor**

**5.6 Biosensors for heavy metal deposits in soil and water**

Many novel sensor fabricated with nanomaterials have been explored in order to obtain high sensitivity and low limits of detection [125–129]. Methyl salicylate is a volatile compound synthesized more by plant during infection stage, so detection of methyl salicylate or other volatile organic compounds specific for particular diseases will be more helpful to identify the diseases before forming symptoms and to take proper control measures in initial stage itself. Gold nanoparticle and semiconductive metal oxide nanoparticles based amperometric biosensors are used to detect diseases causing different types of bacteria, viruses and fungi [130–134].

As harvesting of proper mature fruits and vegetables ensure good quality and consumer acceptability, sensing maturity of agricultural produce is very important for good post-harvest quality and enhanced shelf life. The overmature fruits/ vegetables will over ripe and have to be discarded, while immature fruits/vegetables will lead to inferior eating quality for consumers. Thus only proper mature fruits/ vegetables should be harvested at proper time. Physio chemical properties of horticultural crops like fruits and vegetables are linked with their maturity. Changes of these characters are linked to the maturity and real time measurement of these characters will guide the harvesting of crops at proper mature stage only. Nanobiosensors are used for measurement of intrinsic quality attributes of horticultural crops such as ascorbic acid [135], total phenolic compounds [136] and L-arginine [137]. As the crop attains maturity, it is harvested and stored for further

Plants need many elements in the trace level for their healthy growth and metabolism. Soil, water and air are the major source of these elements and plants obtained nutrients from these sources. Accumulation of these heavy metals and elements more than the optimum level cause serious problem to the plants there by to the human up on the food consumption. Heavy metals such as nickel,

**5.4 Nanobiosensor for disease detection**

**206**

processing.

Inexpensive sensors, cloud computing and intelligent software, hold the potential to transform the agri-food sector. Internet of Things (IoT), is an emerging field in which many more instruments are interconnected to the user agricultural field and internet will increase the precision of the agriculture there by maintain the sustainability and cost effectiveness of agricultural production. The joint application of nanotechnology in IoT creates a new things, namely the Internet of Nano Things (IoNT). Nanosensors, because of their small dimensions, can collect information from numerous different points [107]. External devices can then integrate the data to automatically generate incredibly detailed report and respond to potentially devastating changes in their environment. For instance, connected nanosensors for monitoring soil or plant conditions can alert automatically according to conditions detected by sensors and therefore influence more efficient usage of the fertilizers, herbicide, pesticide, insecticide, etc. Involving nanosensors in the design of smart or intelligent packaging, enable the transfer of information regarding product conditions during distribution or storage. The response generated due to changes related to internal or external environmental factor, are recorded through specific sensors [147, 148] and data are stored in the database. So at any time, from any where those data and parameters related to soil and plant health can be accessed via Internet. Rapid response and detections of unusual parameters' values, are enabled to increase the food quality and safety, that directly influence to human health.
