Plans have been concluded for Nanotechnology Research Group, NANO+ of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, to develop a pro-food Nano sensor by end of 2023 to not just make Nigerians safer meals but also the country’s food products, export-ready.
Prof Abdulkareem Saka, a Nanotechnology expert, revealed that Nanotechnology Research Group, NANO+, was working on developing the indigenous Nano Sensor to analyse Nano particles on food substances by year end.
Lamenting that because of the presence of mycotoxins, the majority of food goods from West African and African nations could not be transferred to Europe or the US, the expert also said that Nanotechnology could be deployed to ensure food security leading to better exports.
“These developed countries don’t trust the safety of our food, because from the farming to the processing, there is the presence of Mycotoxins in our foods.
“Mycotoxins kill a lot and cause a lot of harm to the body.
“We need a platform in the Nanotechnology system to enable us to remove mycotoxins from our food and as a result leverage on exporting our food.
“With a support grant from Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND), we are looking at coming up with indigenous sensors by the end of 2023 that can analyse nano particles on our foods,’’ he said.
He clarified the field of science and technology known as nanotechnology focuses on manipulating atoms and molecules at the nanoscale to create, use, and construct structures, devices, and systems.
According to Saka, his team is striving to domesticate nanosensors for the nation even though they are already being utilized in other industrialized nations like the USA to detect nanoparticles on food ingredients.
Consumertrics reminds you that the LAUTECH Nanotechnology Research Group has consistently pursued nanotechnology research and development in Nigeria with vigour, and has also established a flourishing specialized journal on nanotechnology, ‘Nano Plus: Science and Technology of Nanomaterials’.
The group has developed a number of nano-based solutions for applications in healthcare, environment, renewable energy, agriculture, consumer products and water treatment among others.
With about 150 research articles published in reputed outlets since 2015 by members of the group, a number of products such as nanopaints, nanotextiles, nanofertilizers, nanofilters, nanoceuticals, nanobiotics, and solar cells among others had been developed.
