Researchers in Brazil have found a unique way to make food packaging more sustainable. They are using the skin of a fish called tambatinga. This fish, a blend of female tambaqui and male pirapitinga, is rich in collagen, making its skin a great source for gelatin, a key ingredient in their new biofilm.
The project is happening at the University of São Paulo and involves the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. Their goal is to minimize plastic waste by replacing traditional petroleum-based films with something more eco-friendly.
In their study, led by food engineer Paulo Jose do Amaral Sobral, the team cleaned the tambatinga skins and extracted gelatin using hot water and acetic acid. This process removed impurities, leaving behind high-quality collagen. They then created films with these materials, resulting in transparent, flexible sheets.
What’s impressive about these new films is their durability. They offer strong protection against UV light and boast lower water vapor permeability than many existing biodegradable options. This means they can keep moisture out better than several other packaging materials, making them effective for food storage.
However, there are some challenges. The films tend to absorb moisture, limiting their current use mainly to dehydrated foods, such as nuts. Sobral and his team see this as just the beginning. They plan to keep refining their product, exploring ways to make the films suitable for more types of food and other applications in healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
This research is part of a larger trend in sustainability. The global market for biodegradable packaging is expected to reach $500 billion by 2027, according to market research. By transforming what would usually be waste into packaging material, this innovation aligns with the goals of a circular economy, emphasizing recycling and waste reduction.
If successful, this could create new markets for fish processing byproducts and support a more sustainable aquaculture industry. The work not only benefits the environment but could also stimulate the economy by adding value to fish farming.
For further details, you can find the research report here.
For more insights on sustainable practices, check out the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo.
