Edible nanofilm keeps fresh food free from bacteria

The ammonium-based preservative aims to prevent spoilage during storage and transit of agricultural products.

Spotted: Russian biotech company Vjatsky Agroconcern has created an edible food preservative to help reduce the high rate of global food waste. Called Milekons, the preservative works on a range of foodstuffs, including grains, pulses, fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat. It has been designed to reduce spoilage and waste throughout a product’s entire journey, from harvest to retail shelves and private homes.

The nanofilm is a combination of ammonium, sugar, alcohol and sodium chloride and, throughout long-term studies, has proven safe for consumption. It is decomposable and highly affordable, coating up to a tonne of produce for a cost of €1 to €2. With the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation reporting that each year one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally, reducing food waste is essential to feeding the world’s growing population.

Milekons can also be used to disinfect premises, packaging and transport and is injectable, so can be used in liquids including beer, juice and carbonated drinks. Currently limited in its distribution capabilities, Vjatsky Agroconcern is seeking international partners to focus expansion into developing countries with hot climates.

As climate change continues to increase the burden on arable land, many projects and organisations spotted by Springwise are seeking new ways to feed their communities. In the United States, a new grocery shopping platform connects consumers and producers, cutting out expensive and vast international and national distribution systems. In Switzerland, a luxury chocolate maker has found a way to reduce waste by using the entire cacao fruit in its products.