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Innovative Belarusian biopolymeric solution for perishable foods developed

MINSK, 7 June (BelTA) – Scientists of the Belarusian State University have developed an innovative solution for the long-term storage of perishable foods, the university’s press service told BelTA.

A team of the biology lab of the zoology department of the biology faculty is working on the project. The team is led by Vladimir Kurchenko, Candidate of Biological Sciences.

Chitosan is a naturally occurring non-toxic biopolymer. When food is covered with chitosan solution, a kind of packaging is formed. The source explained: “Chitosan boasts antibacterial properties. When the solvent evaporates, it leaves film on various surfaces. The method for applying the solution represents an important advantage. The solution can be applied at an enterprise or in field conditions using manual or automatic spray guns. The film can also be applied using agricultural machines.”

This organic packaging can increase the shelf life of fruits and vegetables, pork and beef, intermediate products made of fish and poultry meat. Chitosan is absolutely inert in human body. It is easily broken down by soil bacteria in the wild. Apart from that, the solution is hypoallergic. If necessary, the solution can be removed with a small amount of water. This is why the technology is ecologically friendly and can be widely adopted.

The innovative product of the Belarusian State University has no foreign competitors. As a rule, food industry uses mixtures with mineral wax, bee wax, serum albumin, starch and glycerin, and other agents for storing fruits and vegetables. Their organic compounds and preservative agents are hard to digest and can cause various allergic reactions. There is nothing like that in the Belarusian product. The university has already made a pilot batch of chitosan solutions and has applied for an invention patent.

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