Nanoplastics from packaging of fruits and vegetables

Company

Saveggy is a visionary food-tech company that combines cutting-edge technology with a passion for nature and environmental responsibility. They are driven by the desire to reduce food- and plastic waste and create a more sustainable food system, by transforming the way vegetables and fruits are handled. Saveggy has created an alternative to the plastic wrapping used to protect vegetables, such as cucumber and paprika.

Instead of the conventional melting of fossil plastics onto the vegetable, Saveggy’s solution is a plant-based layer that is applied to the produce as a protective shield that prevents loss of moisture and slows down oxidation. It helps retain the natural moisture, firmness, and appeal of the product, ensuring a longer shelf life.

Task

The topic of microplastics has gotten attention in the environmental debate in the last decade, not in the least microplastics in the human food chain. As a contribution to this discussions Saveggy is interested to know if conventional plastic wrapping might cause contamination of the vegetables it is supposed to protect. In this project you will study potential leakage of nanoplastics into cucumber through scientific testing. You will break down packaging plastics to nano and micro-sized plastics and use it as a standard to isolate and characterise nano and microplastics in cucumbers wrapped in plastics. You will compare the results with not wrapped cucumbers. The study is important for development of new packaging methods and potentially for the human health. Throughout your thesis, you will have access to necessary equipment and support from supervisors at Biochemistry and Structural Biology as well as Division of Food and Pharma at Lund University.

Final scope and limitations are made in collaboration with the company and your supervisor at the university.

Related sustainability goals