Nanotechnology could benefit vegetable industry

Developments in nanotechnology could help production of the humble vegetable. Speaking at the AUSVEG Future Technologies Seminar in Hobart on 9 May, Dr Terry Turney from Monash University explained how products that were previously only science fiction imaginings are becoming a commercial reality.

“According to Dr Turney, food packaging could be advanced to such a stage where it could determine whether the produce it contained was suitable for human consumption,” said Richard Mulcahy, CEO of AUSVEG.

“Among Dr Turney’s forecasts was the ability for personal printers to produce objects as sophisticated as flexible batteries as a result of nanotechnology.”

Dr Turney, who is the Chief Technology Officer of Sonic Essentials, also discussed the issue of food scarcity and argued that nutrient quality must be addressed as many food sources are lacking in essential nutrients.

AUSVEG - the national peak body representing vegetable growers - conducted the seminar to help further industry knowledge and explore the future application of technologies to the industry.

“The Australian vegetable industry is one of the most progressive in the world, and it is vital that we continue to move forward and think about future practices, innovations and technologies,” said Mulcahy.