Packaging Developed to Prevent Food Spoilage

Sabancı University and its Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) have developed patented food packaging technology with nano-clay additives that extends shelf life of food products, and it has been licensed by TreeT BUBA Agriculture and Technology company. This will allow packaging films that extend food shelf life to reach consumers in the coming period.

Scientists have been focusing particularly on packaging for 20 years, seeking alternative ways to prevent food spoilage. Sabancı University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM) researcher Hayriye Ünal and her team developed a packaging film containing clay nanotubes with multiple functions to meet this diverse packaging need. Developed under the direction of SUNUM researcher Hayriye Ünal, with the supervision of Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences members Yusuf Menceloğlu and Fevzi Çakmak Cebeci and Integrated Production Technologies Research and Application Center (TÜMER) researcher Serkan Ünal, this technology has received patent certificates in the United States, Turkey and 5 different European countries, and has been licensed by TreeT BUBA Agriculture and Technologies Inc., the agricultural company of BUBA Ventures. The project application for the patent licensed to TreeT BUBA Agriculture and Technology company under the TÜBİTAK Patent Licensing call (1516) was deemed successful by TÜBİTAK and was among 14 supported projects. With the signed licensing agreement, packaging films that extend food shelf life will be made available to consumers in the coming period.

Vegetables and fruits will no longer spoil

The developed packaging material aims to prevent food spoilage. The nano-clay packaging film can absorb gases released from fruits and vegetables that cause them to spoil. Additionally, when these packaging films are fortified with anti-bacterial agents, bacterial formation on food is prevented. The presence of nano-clay in the packaging provides a barrier property, preventing gases that cause spoilage from entering. Studies have shown that foods that spoil quickly even in refrigerators, such as tomatoes, strawberries, leafy greens, bananas and chicken, have significantly extended shelf lives when packaged with the developed packaging films. SUNUM researcher Hayriye Ünal commented on the packaging films resulting from the research: "Through such active packaging, we can contribute to food safety, reduce economic losses from spoilage and prevent food waste, contributing to budgets." TreeT General Manager Mustafa Tamer stated: "By incorporating agricultural technologies, we aim to create an exemplary model in Turkey. We are implementing an investment model that will benefit from the digital transformation of agriculture. We are discovering and incorporating technologies that will increase productivity and quality." He added: "TreeT BUBA Agriculture and Technology company, as a pioneering initiative in this field in Turkey, will continue to clear the way for agricultural initiatives and investments in these initiatives."