A team of students from the Faculty of Chemical Technology has successfully developed Biodegradable Films for Fruit Packaging and Preservation

A team of students from the Faculty of Chemical Technology at Hanoi University of Industry has successfully developed biodegradable films to aid in the packaging and preservation of fruits. This project won the First Prize at the 15th Student Scientific Research Conference (Academic Year 2023 – 2024) organized by Hanoi University of Industry.

Hoang Van Chinh, the leader of the research team, explained the motivation behind the project: "We observed that the preservation of fresh fruits today mostly relies on non-degradable plastic packaging, leading to long-term environmental pollution. The research to create biodegradable composite films using bacterial cellulose (BC) and chitosan (CS) for fruit packaging was conducted in response to the urgent need for eco-friendly packaging solutions."

The research team is presenting the project report to the faculty scientific council

According to their analysis, BC is known for its excellent film-forming ability and high mechanical strength, while CS has antimicrobial properties and strong bio-interaction capabilities. The combination of BC and CS in the composite film not only leverages the advantages of both components but also creates a new biodegradable material that is safe and effective for preserving fresh fruits.

Drawing from this foundation, the research team aimed to create and optimize the BC/CS composite film, evaluate its biodegradability, and explore its application in fruit packaging. Their work not only addresses the issue of plastic pollution but also paves the way for developing advanced biodegradable packaging materials, contributing to the sustainable development of the food industry.

In their experiments, the team selected fresh, high-quality oranges, discarding any that were damaged or under-ripe. The oranges were dipped in a BC/CS composite solution prepared at a specific ratio, ensuring that the solution maintained a suitable pH and contained no harmful substances.

Procedure for preserving oranges

Hoang Van Chinh shared: "After 29 days of storage, the oranges wrapped in the film not only retained their appearance but were also protected from fungal attack and other spoilage factors. The unchanged external condition of the oranges demonstrated the stability of the wrapping film, preserving the fruit's original shape and color-leaving a positive impression of the method's preservation capabilities."

This result is highly significant for the food industry, where effective preservation; preventing bacterial and fungal contamination while maintaining product quality; is of paramount importance. The study showed that the specially structured BC/CS composite film was successfully developed and proved effective in preserving oranges. The combination of these two components created a preservation film capable of maintaining the natural properties and nutritional content of the oranges throughout the storage period.

Looking back on their achievements, every team member felt enthusiastic, proud, and gratified, believing that all their efforts had paid off. After nearly three months of research and hands-on work; repeatedly adjusting acid concentrations and facing setbacks when sample measurements failed; they overcame every challenge together.

Thanks to the supervision and support of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Anh, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Chemical Technology, and the collective assistance of the faculty members and fellow students, the research team was able to overcome all obstacles and complete the study successfully.

The team received First Prize at the 15th Student Scientific Research Conference held by Hanoi University of Industry

Hoang Van Chinh added: "Previously, I had joined my peers in the faculty on a research project to produce antibacterial masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, which gave me valuable experience and helped me build strong connections. I realized that engaging in scientific research as a student is both an honor and a source of pride, as it offers opportunities to learn and grow immensely."

With the results of this research, we hope it will not only contribute to science but also have practical implications, making positive contributions to sustainable development; particularly in the preservation of fresh fruits using biodegradable, environmentally friendly packaging materials.