After a long day at work, I came home and rummaged through the fridge to make dinner and found another wasted zucchini. This script, with variations, has been repeated over and over in millions of homes in developed countries. Furthermore, in supermarkets, a large amount of food that has passed its sell-by date is discarded. The numbers are dizzying.according to FAO, Every year, one-third of the food produced in the world is lost or wasted. This means about 1.3 billion tons. There are several techniques to extend the shelf life of food, from controlled atmosphere packaging to sterilization processes, but perishable foods such as meat, fruit and vegetables require special attention. Therefore, to protect food, biodegradable packaging If possible, that’s one of the biggest challenges. For example, an American company has developed Algae-based edible bioplastic.approach taken by cambridge crop somewhat different—They created a protein-based coating.
This American company, in a joint project with the MIT lab, water-based biopolymer and fibroin, a protein produced by silkworms and spiders. The company plans to use the coating on fruits, vegetables and even meat to extend the shelf life. The molecular structure of this innovative coating regulates the contact of food with oxygen and water vapor, thereby reducing oxidation and preserving vitamins, while also minimizing microbial growth.
This biodegradable and edible product not only reduces food waste, Minimize use of packaging plastic Optimize food distribution. This means it can stay fresh longer in warehouses before reaching supermarkets. Apples, for example, have a shelf life of about two weeks, and the inventors say the new coating can double that number.
New alternatives to plastic: edible packaging and tableware
The food industry is looking for alternatives to plastic not only for packaging, but also for eating. for example, loli wear has developed a seaweed-based edible straw that will be launched soon. different flavors. Want a cocktail in a lemon flavored cup? That’s another option the company offers. oh oh is another startup that hired Algae for the production of plastic substitutes, provide edible bottles and capsules containing water or fruit juice. On the other hand, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that casein, a protein found in dairy products, Edible and biodegradable packaging Protects food from oxygen more efficiently than plastic. The University of Nottingham in the UK is also working. Packaging made from carbohydrates, cellulose and proteinsis completely harmless to animals and humans when ingested.
sauce: american ino