Edible packaging will replace plastic
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Researchers from Brazil have developed a new kind of plastic that can be eaten. The film for storage of products is made of tomatoes, spinach, papaya, etc. As the head of the scientific project noted, the advantages of their development are that there is no need for synthetic packaging, in addition, food waste is used for the production of material. This technology for the production of plastic film from fruit is the first of its kind.
The new edible material structure, resistance and other physical characteristics do not differ from ordinary plastic, also this film protects well and stores products.
The fact that the packaging material can be eaten can be widely used in industrial production. The head of the project noted that the packaging for a bird or soup, seasoned with spices, can dissolve in water without residue.
The production of a new type of plastic comes from dehydrated products, which are mixed with nanomaterials with binding properties.
The greatest problem for scientists was the search for formulas, the composition of components and proportions, so that eventually the material received all the necessary properties.
According to the engineer-materialist, the raw materials are subjected to such a dehydration technology, in which water passes the liquid phase, i.e. When frozen, the liquid immediately changes to a gaseous state. As a result, products that do not contain water at all, but still retain their nutrients, are obtained. Specialists say that this process can be applied to fruits, vegetables, beans and even some spices, which will make the taste and color of edible packaging more diverse.
Work on the development of food plastic began a couple of decades ago. In the beginning, according to the project manager, renewable materials were used as an alternative to plastic. In the process of work, specialists began to add food fibers to plastic, combining two types of raw materials. Experts tested a variety of natural fibers, such as coconut fiber, jute, sisal, cotton, which showed maximum resistance to damage, in addition, such fibers were stronger than synthetic polymers several times.
Before the development of a new edible plastic, a group of researchers created degradable polymers for the production of packaging, which quickly penetrates into the environment.
The project for the production of edible packaging was carried out in several stages. At the first stage, a nanoemulsion of aldehyde from cinnamon oil was obtained in the nanotechnology laboratory, which was chosen due to its antimicrobial properties.
Scientists managed to obtain an emulsion, which contained crystals of different diameters (from 20 to 500 nanometers).
Further, the specialists created a film based on pectin, which has gel-forming properties, and also added papaya purée and cinnamon aldehyde nanoemulsion.
Subsequently, specialists added chitosan (polysaccharide, which has antibacterial properties), so that the products will be kept fresh longer.
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