Revolutionizing Food Preservation
Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has developed a groundbreaking food wrap that not only keeps food fresh but also actively fights bacteria and warns of spoilage. The secret ingredient? Avocado pits.
Harnessing Nature’s Power
This new film, currently in development, is made from a material infused with antimicrobial and anti-spoilage compounds extracted from discarded avocado pits. These naturally occurring compounds have the ability to kill harmful bacteria, significantly reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
But that’s not all. The film also features a color-changing indicator that alerts consumers when the food is no longer safe to eat. This innovative feature can help prevent food waste by reducing the number of items discarded due to uncertainty about their freshness.
During laboratory experiments, raw prawns were placed in Petri dishes with segments of the film. As the prawns started to spoil, the film indicated this by shifting from yellow to brown. Notably, this color change occurred up to two days before the prawns themselves exhibited any changes in color or odor.
A Vision for the Future
“We’re excited about the potential of this new food wrap to make a significant impact on food safety and reduce food waste,” said Professor William Chen, who leads the research team at NTU. “By harnessing the power of nature, we can create sustainable and effective solutions to these pressing global challenges.”
As the researchers continue to refine the technology, they hope that this avocado pit-based food wrap will soon be available to consumers, offering a safer and more sustainable way to preserve food.
