Phil. is an exporter of fruits and vegetables. Cutting fruits and vegetables breaks their natural protective barriers against the drying and oxidative effects of air. This is the reason why large-scale reprocessing of fresh produce, which would allow for more cost-effective and convenient system, is difficult to do.
The researcher arrived at a study on edible film as the best solution to this problem. Among the most promising edible films that research has produced is that one made from combination of CHITOSAN.. a derivative of crustaceous shells.
Crabs are favorite Filipino delicacies. Tons of crab shells are thrown and pile up along shores and landfills. One of the major components of crab shells is CHITIN- plentiful but has limited use.
This research therefore attempted to find out if CHITIN, a plentiful natural resource currently regarded as trash and a major component of arthropods and the cell walls of fungi, can be used for the production of an edible protective film.
Results show that film is significantly attractive and glossy that can stop ater loss and oxidation and that generally, it was able to extend the shelf life of the perishable foodstuffs.
Mankind produces a lot of wastes in all forms- gaseous, solid, and liquid matter. These wastes ofte end up in the dumpsites, aggravating the world''s problem on waste and reusing a large proportion of these waste materials.
Scientist has long been looking for a way to lessen undesirable effects of reprocessing foods. The big break came with the invention of plastics. Unlike traditional packaging materials, plastics do not rust like metals, nor does it rot like ordianry paper bags do. However, these very same qualities that make plastic ideal material pose a problem at the time of disposal. Because plasticis nonbiodegradable, it is ussually disposed by incineration or dumping into landfills. Either way, the disposal of plastics becomes a hazard to the environment.
The solution in making an edible protective film is really simple. The film can be consumed along with the food that it wrapped.