At the Nano Israel 2016 conference to be held next month in Tel Aviv, researchers from the Technion will present an innovative development: packaging for food - and especially baked goods - based on plastic containing nanotubes and natural oils, which protects the baked goods stored inside and prevents the development of mold and bacteria
An Israeli family spends thousands of shekels a month on food, but some of it is not eaten. The reason, and especially when it comes to baked goods: the development of mold that prevents eating. The result: the products bought with a lot of money are thrown in the trash. A UN report showed that about 30% of the food produced in the world today is thrown into the trash without being opened and eaten. Max Karpker and Rotem Shemesh, PhD students in the laboratory of Prof. Esti Segal from the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering and the Russell Berry Nano-Technology Institute at the Technion, are now offering a solution to a problem that can save consumers a lot of money: a unique plastic packaging that contains natural essential oils and protects bread, cheeses and other foods from mold and bacteria. The innovative development will be presented at the Nano-Israel 2016 conference, which will be held on February 23-22 at Tel Aviv University.
The packaging is actually a normal-looking plastic bag, part of which is tiny nanotubes containing essential oils, based on natural extracts of plants, such as basil and thyme (oregano). These oils have been known for hundreds of years for their antimicrobial activity, meaning their ability to kill bacteria, mold and fungi. The packaging releases the volatile oil in a controlled manner to the baked goods inside, thus preventing the development of microorganisms that cause food spoilage. This way you can safely extend the shelf life of the product and reduce the use of preservatives. The unique technology was developed as part of the Ministry of Economy's magnet project, in close cooperation between the Technion and leading industrial companies, including the Carmel Olpinim company. The development is already at an advanced stage, and researchers in academia and industry estimate that food products packaged with this technology will soon be on the shelves.
"Through a combination of microbiology and nanotechnology we have developed antimicrobial packaging of real value to consumers and the food industry," says Rotem. "It is exciting to know that our development, based on available and cheap raw materials such as basil, thyme and geranium, will allow every household in Israel to save costs and preserve the quality of the environment."
"Developments made through nanotechnology have a far-reaching effect on all areas of life," says Technion graduate Rafi Koriat, who serves as co-chairman of the Nano-Israel 2016 conference. in another way. The introduction of nanotechnologies and the application of academic research in the food industry, as well as in other industries such as the textile, energy and automotive industries, can open up to manufacturers a multitude of new possibilities and applications and improve their ability to compete in international markets."
About the nano conference
The "Nano-Israel 2016" conference is an international event dealing with innovations and business opportunities in the fields of nanotechnology. In the conference and exhibition that will be held as part of it, some of the outstanding inventions developed in Israel in the fields of materials, medicine, mobile, aviation and semiconductors and other innovative industrial fields will be presented. The conference will be attended by representatives from Israel and abroad, including venture capitalists, private funds, institutional and corporate investors, industry, technology and development people, government decision makers as well as representatives of academia, scientists and researchers.
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The above-mentioned solution that makes the packaging relatively more expensive is not going to help particularly the hungry, they probably don't throw away any food as a result of mold.
In any case, the main problem with baked goods is that the freshness due to humidity is damaged long before mold develops and makes them simply tasteless. Freezing the pastries solves both problems very effectively.
Another huge invention made by blue and white for humanity. They will receive food for the hungry from wars and drought
Preserved and healthy food
long live the state of Israel . And the fanatics will be satisfied with the labeling of the products in Europe
Nanotubes? The same diameter as asbestos fibers? Maybe different?