Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore are using discarded durian husks to create antibacterial gel bandages to combat food waste.
After the husks of the fruit have been diced and freeze-dried, cellulose powder is extracted and mixed with glycerol. This combination hardens into a soft hydrogel that is cut into bandage strips.
“In Singapore, we consume about 12 million durians a year, so besides the flesh, we can’t do much about the husk and the seeds, and this causes environmental pollution,” said Professor William Chen, director of the food science and technology program at NTU. The fruit’s husks, which make up more than half of the composition of durians, are usually discarded and incinerated, contributing to environmental waste. Chen went on to say that the method can also turn other food waste into hydrogels, such as soybeans and wasted grains, reducing food waste in the country.
