Researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore have developed an innovative biodegradable food wrap that changes color when the food it protects starts to spoil.
This groundbreaking wrap not only provides a visual cue for food spoilage but also has antibacterial properties to help protect food from microbial contamination.
The eco-friendly wrap is made using discarded fruit seeds, specifically avocado pits, along with starch from durian and jackfruit seeds, offering a sustainable way to reduce food waste. Avocado seed extracts, rich in catechin and chlorogenic acid, play a crucial role in preventing oxidation and inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause food poisoning.
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A key feature of the wrap is its ability to change color based on pH levels, thanks to a natural compound in avocado seeds called "Perseorangin." As foods like meat and seafood spoil and produce nitrogen compounds, the wrap changes from a translucent yellow to a deep brown, providing an early visual warning up to two days before spoilage becomes evident.
Professor William Chen, the study's lead author and Director of NTU’s Food Science and Technology Programme, highlighted the wrap's potential to reduce food waste and improve food safety by leveraging nature’s antimicrobial and anti-spoilage properties. Industry experts have praised the innovation for its potential to make food production more sustainable and waste-efficient.
This smart food wrap could significantly improve food freshness monitoring, offering a sustainable solution to reduce food wastage and prevent foodborne illnesses.
Find out more about this groundbreaking invention here!
