Nanotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture, Environment, and Human Wellbeing

¹ Univ. Lille, CNRS, Univ. Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, UMR 8520-IEMN, F-59000 Lille, France
² Universitas Lancang Kuning, Graduate School of Agriculture Sciences, 28261 Pekanbaru, Indonesia
³ Center for Environmental & Sustainable Tropical Agricultural Research, 28261 Pekanbaru, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: indra.purnama@unilak.ac.id

Abstract

Nanotechnology has rapidly evolved into a cross-cutting platform that supports sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and human wellbeing. Recent developments show that smart and biocompatible nanomaterials are increasingly integrated into practical systems beyond laboratory settings. In agriculture, nano-enabled fertilizers, nanosensors, and green-synthesized antimicrobial nanocomposites improve nutrient use efficiency, facilitate early pathogen detection, and reduce chemical pesticide dependence, thereby strengthening productivity on marginal soils. Environmental applications demnstrate comparable progress through two-dimensional nanomaterials, nanocomposites synthesized using deep eutectic solvents (DES-mediated nanocomposites), diamond and graphene-derived sensing platforms, and photocatalytic systems for wastewater remediation, pollutant monitoring, and upcycling of plastic and CO₂ into valuable products. Advances in nanomedicine—including transdermal drug delivery patches, near-infrared responsive hydrogels, nanobody-targeted imaging agents, and carbon quantum dots for protein aggregation control—further contribute to the sustainability agenda by improving human health outcomes. The convergence of these technological directions reinforces the "One Health" perspective, where ecosystem quality, food security, and population health are interconnected. Progress in the field will depend on scalable green synthesis routes, long-term toxicity and environmental fate assessments, and the establishment of clear regulatory frameworks. This mini-review summarizes key advances from 2024-2025 and highlights opportunities for nanotechnology to support resilient agriculture, cleaner environments, and healthier societies.