Application of nanotechnology in animal nutrition: Bibliographic review

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the science and engineering that involves designing, synthesizing, characterizing, and applying materials in devices and systems for nanometer-scale matter control. This review explores the application of nanotechnology in animal nutrition. Its applications in this field encompass the administration of nutrients, probiotics, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases through drug delivery. Nanoparticles can be classified into inorganic (nano-minerals), organic (proteins, fat, and sugar nanomolecules), emulsions, dispersions, and nanoclays nanopolymers. The feeding of nanoparticles has demonstrated improvements in digestive efficiency, immunity, milk, meat, and egg quality. Nano-minerals offer low dose usage and improved bioavailability, making them an effective antibiotic alternative and can also be incorporated into natural feed ingredients. Enzyme nanoparticles are protein aggregates that show their unique properties (optical, electrical). Nanotechnology is utilized in feed processing to deliver nutrients to target organs through methods like encapsulation, chelating, packing, and nanotubes without altering taste or color. Nanoparticles could be prepared using nanotools in nanotechnique such as precipitation, emulsion cross-linking, spray-drying, emulsion-droplet coalescence, etc. Nanoparticle synthesis is performed by physical (high-energy ball milling, vapor deposition), chemical methods (forming colloids), and biological methods. Despite nanotechnology applications having potential contributions to simplify life and enhance the animal industry in feed, health, and production, the challenges in human, animal, and environmental issues are also stated as the side effects of the technology.

Keywords:

• animal feed
• nanotechnology
• nano-mineral
• enzyme nanoparticles

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

Nanotechnology primarily used in animal nutrition to produce nanominerals, particularly trace elements with limited bioavailability, which reduce intestinal mineral antagonism, excretion, and environmental contamination. Nanotubes are used to detect estradiol antibodies during oestrus, revolutionizing the veterinary and animal science fields by providing in-depth information about organisms’ inner bodies. Nanotechnology also improved various aspects of veterinary medicine, including disease detection, treatment, vaccine development, drug administration, and addressing nutrition and reproductive issues. Moreover, nanoparticles can be integrated into smart systems, comprehending medicinal and imaging chemicals and possessing stealth properties by adjusting their size, surface properties, and composition. In general, nanotechnology has the potential to transform agriculture and livestock development through resolving animal health, production, nutrition, reproduction, and hygienic practices and making it a new avenue for the new era.

Acknowledgments

The author acknowledges the potential editors and reviewers for their valuable input on the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contribution

Concept, synthesis, write-up

Availability of data and materials

The dataset that supports the findings of this review is included in the article.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2023.2290308

Additional information

Funding

This work was not supported by any funding.

Notes on contributors

Yohannes Gelaye

Yohannes Gelaye is a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture and Natural resources, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia. He did his Master’s degree in Horticulture at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia. Since December 2014, Yohannes is working at Debre Markos University and teaching courses like Plant biotechnology, Plant propagation, Design and agricultural experimentation, Vegetable and fruit crops production and management, Ornamental horticulture, Plant physiology, Coffee production, processing and quality control, Crop protection, and Nutrition sensitive agriculture. His research interest is Biotechnology, Biochar in agriculture, Adapting to drought stress, Byproduct utilization, Climate change induced disease and pests, Drought induced physio-morphological, molecular and biochemical changes, Agro-nanotechnology, Artificial Intelligence, Crops and soil improvement, Postharvest science and technology, Food safety, and Nutrition, and food security.