These Indian scientists are turning fruit seeds into biodegradable food wraps Researchers from NIT Rourkela have developed a game-changing innovation — biodegradable films made from jackfruit, jamun, and litchi seeds that could replace plastic food packaging.

The plastic problem Plastic packaging like LDPE, HDPE, and polystyrene is widely used for its strength and flexibility. However, these materials can take up to 700 years to decompose, posing a massive threat to the environment.

The team behind the innovation At NIT Rourkela, a team led by Dr Preetam Sarkar decided to explore whether waste from fruits could be turned into a sustainable alternative to plastic. Their goal was simple but powerful: to create biodegradable packaging from natural, renewable resources.

Turning fruit seeds into film The team chose jackfruit, jamun, and litchi seeds because of their rich starch content. Starch is a natural polymer that forms the base for their eco-friendly, compostable packaging material.

A blend that works By combining the starch from fruit seeds with tamarind kernel polysaccharides, the researchers created films that are flexible, durable, and strong enough to hold and preserve food items.

Supercharging the films To enhance their performance, the team infused the films with natural nanoparticles. Zinc oxide and chitosan offer antimicrobial protection, while lignin nanoparticles improve antioxidant properties and biodegradability.

Impressive results These biodegradable films are not only safe for the environment, but also highly effective. They can extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes by up to 15 days.

Quick to decompose, great for soil Unlike plastic, these eco-films decompose within just 60 days. As they break down, they feed soil microbes and help promote plant growth, making them truly zero-waste and soil-friendly.

Meet the innovators This breakthrough was made possible by a collaborative team including Dr Santhosh Ravichandran, Rahul Thakur, Bindhu Sravanthi, and Souvik Giri, working under the leadership of Dr Preetam Sarkar.

A Sustainable future begins here By replacing harmful plastic with biodegradable films made from fruit seeds, we take a major step toward a more sustainable future.