Multiple other customised edible coating formulations are developed to enhance the shelf-life of produces based on the requirement. (Image credit: IIT-Guwahati)

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati have developed an edible and biodegradable coating to extend the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables. According to officials, this coating material, which will prevent wastage, was tested on vegetables such as potato, tomato, green chili, strawberries, Khasi Mandarin variety of orange, apples, pineapples and Kiwi and were found to keep these vegetables fresh for nearly two months.

The results of the research have been published in noted journals including Royal Society of Chemistry Advances; Food Packaging and shelf life and American Chemical Society's Food Science and Technology.

The researchers believe that their development could help the country meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 12.3 that is aimed at reducing food losses along the production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.

"According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, between 4.6 and 15.9 per cent of fruits and vegetables go waste post-harvest, partly due to poor storage conditions. In fact, post-harvest loss in certain produce items like potato, onion and tomato which could be as high as 19 per cent, which results in high prices for this highly consumed commodity," Vimal Katiyar, Professor at Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati.

The team used a mix of a micro-algae extract and polysaccharides to produce protective, edible films for coating on vegetables and fruits.

The marine microalgae called Dunaliella tertiolecta is known for its antioxidant properties and has various bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, proteins, and polysaccharides.

"It is also used as a source of algal oil, which is used as a non-animal source of omega-3 fatty acid, and is being considered as a source of biofuel. After the oil is extracted, the residue is usually discarded. The researchers used extracts from this residue in formulating their film, in combination with chitosan.

"Chitosan, a carbohydrate, also has antimicrobial and antifungal properties and can be made into edible film. The properties of films with varying algal extract contents were analysed and compared with controls," Katiyar said.

The fabricated edible films displayed a superior antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, water vapour barrier property, thermal stability, and mechanical strength. They also had excellent UV-Vis light-blocking property.

Further, multiple other customised edible coating formulations are developed to enhance the shelf-life of produces based on the requirement.

The researchers tested the biosafety of these coatings by treating BHK-21 cells with these coating materials.

BHK-21 cells are derived from the kidneys of baby hamsters and are used for studying the toxicity effects of various materials. Their tests showed that these coating materials were non-toxic and could be safely used as edible food packaging materials.

"The newly-developed coatings can be mass-produced and are unique. They are very stable to light, heat and temperature up to 40 degrees Celsius, edible and can be safely eaten as part of the product formulation and do not add unfavourable properties to it. They retain the texture, colour, appearance, flavour, nutritional value and microbial safety of the fruit or vegetable that has been coated, thereby enhancing their shelf life to several weeks to months," he said.

Fatehi was questioned by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police on Friday for around seven hours in connection...

Banerjee also claimed that about eight months ago, opposition leader in the Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari spoke on...

Sitharaman reprimanded officials for not putting up a flexi of PM Modi at the ration shop.

Rajapaksa, 73, fled the country on July 13 after months-long mass public demonstrations demanding his immediate...

Following several fire incidents, an expert committee constituted by MoRTH has amended AIS 038 and AIS 156 norms for...

Sunak, 42, and Truss, 47, have gone head-to-head in a dozen hustings up and down the UK over the past month to win over...

The Mughal Empire had a powerful and disciplined army, which helped it to exert influence over almost the entire Indian...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about certain features of the aircraft carrier, which he described as a floating...

The BJP said the Prime Minister visited the birthplace of Adi Shankara, situated on the bank of River Periyar, to...

Mughal women contributed a lot to the Mughal Empire. Numerous of them were the "kingmakers" who controlled the Mughal...

Despite the restrictions, and a deepening humanitarian crisis, many Afghans say they are glad the foreign forces that...

Riteish Deshmukh and his family visited Shilpa Shetty's home to meet Ganpati this year.