Agricultural chemistry: Difference between revisions
revamp the entire article per plans in Talk |
→Biotechnology: Omics |
||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
Because of the concerns some have with GMO's, there is much controversy surrounding them; in the United States, the House of Representatives passed a bill that made it mandatory that all foods that contain GMO's be labeled either in the forms of text on the containers of food, an Agricultural Department created symbol, or a smartphone scannable bar code. Previously, some states had already enacted legislature of this kind, leading farm groups and the food industry to push for the passing of this bill on a national front to prevent the complexity of laws that would come with different state requirements on the labeling of GMO's, believing that it would also lead to increased food prices in stores. Opposition to this bill came from organic food producers and consumer advocacy groups who believed the use of bar codes in labeling would prevent those Americans without smartphones from accessing that important information of what was in their food, as well as the argument that a number of GMO foods, particularly those made with the [[CRISPR]] editing tool, would fail to meet the requirements for labeling.<ref>{{cite journal |title=House clears GMO food labeling bill |journal=C&EN Global Enterprise |date=18 July 2016 |volume=94 |issue=29 |pages=16 |doi=10.1021/cen-09429-notw11 |doi-access=free |last1=Erickson |first1=Britt }}</ref> |
Because of the concerns some have with GMO's, there is much controversy surrounding them; in the United States, the House of Representatives passed a bill that made it mandatory that all foods that contain GMO's be labeled either in the forms of text on the containers of food, an Agricultural Department created symbol, or a smartphone scannable bar code. Previously, some states had already enacted legislature of this kind, leading farm groups and the food industry to push for the passing of this bill on a national front to prevent the complexity of laws that would come with different state requirements on the labeling of GMO's, believing that it would also lead to increased food prices in stores. Opposition to this bill came from organic food producers and consumer advocacy groups who believed the use of bar codes in labeling would prevent those Americans without smartphones from accessing that important information of what was in their food, as well as the argument that a number of GMO foods, particularly those made with the [[CRISPR]] editing tool, would fail to meet the requirements for labeling.<ref>{{cite journal |title=House clears GMO food labeling bill |journal=C&EN Global Enterprise |date=18 July 2016 |volume=94 |issue=29 |pages=16 |doi=10.1021/cen-09429-notw11 |doi-access=free |last1=Erickson |first1=Britt }}</ref> |
||
===Omics=== |
|||
Particularly relevant is [[proteomics]] as [[protein (nutrition)]] guides much of agriculture. |
|||
==See also== |
==See also== |
||
Revision as of 14:04, 6 January 2024
Agricultural chemistry is the chemistry, especially organic chemistry and biochemistry, as they relate to agriculture. Agricultural chemistry embraces the structures and chemical reactions relevant in the production, protection, and use of crops and livestock. Its applied science and technology aspects are directed towards increasing yields and improving quality, which comes with multiple advantages and disadvantages.
Agricultural and environmental chemistry
This aspect of agricultural chemistry deals with the role of molecular chemistry in agriculture as well as the negative consequences.
Plant Biochemistry
Plant biochemistry encompasses the chemical reactions that occur within plants. In principle, knowledge at a molecular level informs technologies for providing food. Particular focus is on the biochemical differences between plants and other organisms as well as the differences within the plant kingdom, such as dicotyledons vs monocotyledons, gymnosperms vs angiosperms, C2- vs C4-fixers, etc.
Pesticides
Chemical materials developed to assist in the production of food, feed, and fiber include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and other pesticides. Pesticides are chemicals that play an important role in increasing crop yield and mitigating crop losses.[1] These work to keep insects and other animals away from crops to allow them to grow undisturbed, effectively regulating pests and diseases.
Disadvantages of pesticides and herbicides include contamination of the ground and water, see persistent organic pollutants)They may also be toxic to non-target species, including birds and fish.[2] Specifically, the pesticide glyphosate has been accused of being a cause for cancer after heavy, routine use, and has suitable faced many lawsuits. The insecticide neonicotinoid has been found to be injurious to pollinators and the herbicide dicamba's tendency to drift has caused damage to many crops, according to US Midwest farmers.[3]
Soil Chemistry
Agricultural chemistry often aims at preserving or increasing the fertility of soil, maintaining or improving the agricultural yield, and improving the quality of the crop.
Related to fertilizers, the discovery of the Haber-Bosch process led to increase in production of crops in the 20th century.[4][5] This process dramatically increases the rate at which crops are produced, which is able to support the growing human population.[4] The most common form of nitrogen fertilization source is urea, but ammonium sulphate, diammonium phosphate, and calcium ammonium phosphate are also used.[4]
A drawback to the Haber-Bosch process is its high energy usage.[6]
Eutrophication, the prevalence of genetically modified crops and the increasing concentration of chemicals in the food chain (e.g. are only a few consequences of naive industrial agriculture.[citation needed]
Biofuels and bio-derived materials
Agricultural chemistry encompases the science and technology of producing not only edible crops, but feedstocks for biofuels. One major aspect is ethanol fuel obtained by fermentation of sugars. biodielsel is derived from fats. Methane can be recovered from manure and other ag wastes by microbial action.
Biotechnology
Biocatalysis is used to produce high fructose corn syrup. A variety of potentially useful chemicals are obtain by engineered plants. Bioremediation is a green route to biodegradation.
GMOs
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) are plants or living things that have been altered at a genomic level by scientists to improve the organisms characteristics. These characteristics include providing new vaccines for humans, increasing nutrients supplies, and creating unique plastics.[7] They may also be able to grow in climates that are typically not suitable for the original organism to grow in.[7] Examples of GMO's include virus resistant tobacco and squash, delayed ripening tomatoes, and herbicide resistant soybeans.[7]
GMO's came with an increased interest in using biotechnology to produce fertilizer and pesticides. Due to an increased market interest in biotechnology in the 1970s, there was more technology and infrastructure developed, a decreased cost, and an advance in research. Since the early 1980s, genetically-modified crops have been incorporated. Increased biotechnological work calls for the union of biology and chemistry to produce improved crops, a main reason behind this being the increasing amount of food needed to feed a growing population.[8]
That being said, concerns with GMO's include potential antibiotic resistance from eating a GMO.[7] There are also concerns about the long term effects on the human body since many GMO's were recently developed.[7]
Because of the concerns some have with GMO's, there is much controversy surrounding them; in the United States, the House of Representatives passed a bill that made it mandatory that all foods that contain GMO's be labeled either in the forms of text on the containers of food, an Agricultural Department created symbol, or a smartphone scannable bar code. Previously, some states had already enacted legislature of this kind, leading farm groups and the food industry to push for the passing of this bill on a national front to prevent the complexity of laws that would come with different state requirements on the labeling of GMO's, believing that it would also lead to increased food prices in stores. Opposition to this bill came from organic food producers and consumer advocacy groups who believed the use of bar codes in labeling would prevent those Americans without smartphones from accessing that important information of what was in their food, as well as the argument that a number of GMO foods, particularly those made with the CRISPR editing tool, would fail to meet the requirements for labeling.[9]
Omics
Particularly relevant is proteomics as protein (nutrition) guides much of agriculture.
See also
Notes and references
- ^ al-Saleh, I. A. (1994). "Pesticides: a review article". Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology. 13 (3): 151–161. PMID 7722882. INIST 3483983.
- ^ Aktar, Wasim; Sengupta, Dwaipayan; Chowdhury, Ashim (March 2009). "Impact of pesticides use in agriculture: their benefits and hazards". Interdisciplinary Toxicology. 2 (1): 1–12. doi:10.2478/v10102-009-0001-7. PMC 2984095. PMID 21217838.
- ^ Bomgardner, Melody; Erickson, Britt (13 January 2020). "Food brands and retailers will scrutinize pesticides". C&EN Global Enterprise. 98 (2): 33. doi:10.1021/cen-09802-cover8.
- ^ a b c Rouwenhorst, K.H.R.; Elishav, O.; Mosevitzky Lis, B.; Grader, G.S.; Mounaïm-Rousselle, C.; Roldan, A.; Valera-Medina, A. (2021). "Future Trends" (PDF). Techno-Economic Challenges of Green Ammonia as an Energy Vector. pp. 303–319. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-820560-0.00013-8. ISBN 978-0-12-820560-0. S2CID 243358894.
- ^ Leghari, Shah Jahan; Wahocho, Niaz Ahmed; Laghari, Ghulam Mustafa; HafeezLaghari, Abdul; MustafaBhabhan, Ghulam; HussainTalpur, Khalid; Bhutto, Tofique Ahmed; Wahocho, Safdar Ali; Lashari, Ayaz Ahmed (September 2016). "Role of nitrogen for plant growth and development: a review". Advances in Environmental Biology. 10 (9): 209–219. Gale A472372583.
- ^ Pan, Baobao; Lam, Shu Kee; Mosier, Arvin; Luo, Yiqi; Chen, Deli (September 2016). "Ammonia volatilization from synthetic fertilizers and its mitigation strategies: A global synthesis". Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 232: 283–289. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2016.08.019.
- ^ a b c d e Bawa, A. S.; Anilakumar, K. R. (December 2013). "Genetically modified foods: safety, risks and public concerns—a review". Journal of Food Science and Technology. 50 (6): 1035–1046. doi:10.1007/s13197-012-0899-1. PMC 3791249. PMID 24426015.
- ^ Meadows-Smith, Marcus; Meadows-Smith, Holly (3 July 2017). "Perspectives: Chemistry seeks its new level in agtech". C&EN Global Enterprise. 95 (27): 22–23. doi:10.1021/cen-09527-scitech2.
- ^ Erickson, Britt (18 July 2016). "House clears GMO food labeling bill". C&EN Global Enterprise. 94 (29): 16. doi:10.1021/cen-09429-notw11.
