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Scientists have invented an edible packaging material
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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A team of scientists from India and Russia have come up with a special food film that can be used as food. Almost any product can be packaged in such film – from vegetables and fruits to meat and fish. The packaging contains only natural components that are not hazardous to health and do not pollute the environment. In humid conditions, the film almost completely decomposes within 24 hours.
The researchers published the results of their work in the scientific journal Journal of Food Engineering.
Employees of the Indian educational institutions Sri Padmavati and Sri Venkateswara, as well as representatives of the Ural Federal University and the Institute of Organosynthesis of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences have developed three versions of food packaging based on the natural polymer sodium alginate - an algae product. The molecular composition of sodium alginate is capable of forming a film, and additional "strengthening" of the molecules with the help of an antioxidant - ferulic acid - led to the fact that the film became strong, homogeneous, and even capable of increasing the shelf life of products.
"Thanks to the antioxidant properties of the added component, it was possible to slow down oxidative reactions and prolong the freshness of the packaged product. In addition, antiviral components can be added to the film, which will have an even more positive effect on the shelf life of food," explained one of the authors of the work, Dr. Grigory Zyryanov, a chemist.
What is the main component of the invention? We are talking about an edible polymer of natural origin. It is usually used in the production of medicines, food products, cosmetics, because sodium alginate is an excellent natural thickener and stabilizing agent. The auxiliary component of the film is ferulic acid - a substance with antioxidant properties, a product of cinnamic acid. It is characterized by a wide pharmacological activity, having an anti-inflammatory, antitoxic, antiviral, antimicrobial and even antitumor effect.
The production of new natural film is quite affordable, as it does not require special technological capacities. The production of natural packaging can be established at enterprises specializing in the production of food products and polymers. The main thing is that such an enterprise complies with the established standards applicable to the food industry.
The issue of mass production of the new type of packaging is still being decided. Experts cannot yet name the exact date. However, given that consumer demand for environmentally friendly food film options is steadily growing, this will most likely happen in the near future.
Original source of information: Journal of Food Engineering