HEADLINES ARCHIVE
Seaweed coating keeps strawberries fresh longer than refrigeration
The seaweed-coated strawberries stayed fresher for longer than refrigerated uncoated berries, thus suggesting the coating could one day reduce produce spoilage and food waste during storage and transport.
Laser detection method could improve counterfeit alcohol screening
The new laser system is capable of detecting toxic methanol present within unopened bottles of alcohol — even through colored glass.
Food waste transformed into membrane with 96.1% greater heat-storage rate, 1,000-cycle lifespan
To develop the membrane, the team blended food-waste-derived biochar, graphene and a phase-change material into a paper membrane appropriate for thermal management and energy recovery ventilation.
Researchers reinvent food packaging with biodegradable oxygen-scavenging plastic
The researchers produced microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from bacterial cellulose grown by fermenting coconut water, then incorporated it into a three-layer PLA film.
Grip what others leave behind
Schmalz is expanding its portfolio with the finger gripper mGrip Basic and the control module SRCU Basic.
Advanced membrane filtration delivers ultra-pure in-line ingredient separation
Using microfiltration and ultrafiltration systems within continuous in-line processing environments allows manufacturers to isolate and concentrate proteins while maintaining steady material flow throughout production.
NORD serves up sweet energy and cost savings for industrial bakeries
Specialized drive technology engineered for the bakery industry maximizes uptime, adheres to strict hygiene rules and significantly reduces total cost of ownership.
Electronic nose technology detects food spoilage, allergens in real time
The new device features 16 microscopic gas sensors, each of which has been created to respond differently to airborne chemical compounds. Altogether, the 16 sensors produce unique response patterns when exposed to different foods.
90-second process upcycles wet coffee grounds into solid fuel
In what may prove an energy-efficient path for converting high-moisture organic waste into valuable fuel and carbon materials, the team devised a way to harness the energy potential of spent coffee grounds.
Smarter tech unlocks more nutrition from staple crops
By better aligning processing conditions with the physical properties of the raw material, modern systems can maintain high throughput while improving the nutritional quality of the final product.
Biodegradable fruit wash removes pesticides, extends freshness
The wash is composed of a mixture of starch nanoparticles, tannic acid and iron. The team explained that it selected starch, which is a plant-based material, because it can form films.
Portable food safety sensor snags Salmonella with virus-coated polymer
The new technology can quickly capture and visualize foodborne bacterial contaminants in tiny fluid samples.
From yeast to structures: Baked biomaterial enables 3D-printed architecture
The new material is comprised of baker's yeast, cellulose fibers from wood, alginate from algae, glycerol from plants and water. Altogether, these ingredients create a type of hydrogel that can be 3D printed.
Tea leaves and mussels inspire new eco-friendly bio-adhesive
Beyond its robust adhesive qualities, TEAGEL is expected to be sustainable and biocompatible. The tea leaves also reportedly deliver antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
Forward osmosis for food concentration
Forward osmosis (FO) represents a shift toward a more sustainable and quality focused model by using osmotic pressure to remove water as an alternative to heat or high hydraulic pressure.
Spider silk-inspired method transforms corn protein into ultra-tough plastic alternative
The scientists turned to a corn protein called zein, which is abundant, renewable and naturally hydrophobic. Because the material is also relatively brittle, the team took inspiration from the way spiders spin their silk to improve the zein’s mechanical strength.
Beer waste finds new life as eco-friendly paper
According to the researchers, the brewer's spent grain features a composition rich in cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin — which also happen to be key components for papermaking.
Fruit wash eliminates 94% of pesticides, keeps grapes fresh for 15 days at room temperature
The new solution, developed by a team from the University of British Columbia (UBC), reportedly removes the majority of surface chemicals and helps fruit stay fresh for longer.
Apple waste could fuel vehicles, nourish livestock
Apple pomace represents roughly 25% to 30% of processed apples and is typically treated as waste even though it possesses rich carbohydrate content and strong potential for bioconversion.
Study shows cold plasma treatment may reduce peanut allergens
The method involves briefly treating peanuts with cold plasma, which is an ionically charged gas that causes chemical changes, thereby reducing their potential to trigger allergic reactions.