Maya Ellison
The idea of edible plastic has been around for almost a decade, with early examples including the Ooho, an edible and biodegradable packaging made from seaweed for beverages and sauces. Edible plastic is typically developed to reduce plastic waste and keep food fresh for longer. Some companies are creating edible coatings for fruits and vegetables, while others are developing edible skins that encase food or liquids in a protective barrier using natural food particles. While the taste of edible plastic is not often mentioned, one source notes that edible plastic created by a scientist at Oregon State University was tasted during a lab visit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Edible plastic |
| Purpose | Food packaging, coating for fruits and vegetables, water-soluble pods |
| Benefits | Sustainable, biodegradable, compostable, vegan, reduces plastic waste, keeps food fresh |
| Base Material | Seaweed, plant-derived material, potato wafer paper, wax-coated sugar |
| Creators | Notpla, Apeel Sciences, Coolhaus, Poppits, WikiCells, Ting Lu, Stephen Techtmann |
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What You'll Learn
Edible plastic made from seaweed
While I cannot comment on the taste of edible plastic made from seaweed, I can provide some information on the topic of seaweed-based plastics and their potential benefits.
Seaweed, with its various types of marine plants and algae, is a promising alternative to conventional plastic. It is a natural resource that can be sustainably cultivated and harvested with minimal environmental impact. Researchers from Flinders University in Australia and German biomaterials developer one • fıve have developed a seaweed-based coating material to replace the plastic coatings used in fast-food packaging. This initiative aims to reduce the industry's reliance on highly pollutive conventional plastic derived from petroleum.
The seaweed-based coating uses natural polymers extracted from plants or animals, specifically sodium alginate from brown seaweed. Seaweed extracts share a similar structure with the natural fibers used in paper production, making them a viable alternative for packaging materials. This natural approach stands in contrast to synthetic polymers derived from fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to plastic pollution.
The development of bioplastics made from seaweed polysaccharides offers a greener and more eco-friendly production method. Red seaweeds like Kappaphycus alvarezii (carrageenan) and Gelidium sesquipedale (agar) have been used for film production, showcasing the versatility of seaweed-based materials. Additionally, seaweed-based biopolymers can be enhanced with natural additives, improving their mechanical strength, hydrophobicity, UV-light barrier properties, and thermal properties.
Companies like Evoware have developed a range of biodegradable and edible seaweed-based products, including sachets for dry, liquid, and semi-solid food products, as well as wraps for burgers, sandwiches, and rice. These innovations demonstrate the potential for seaweed to replace single-use plastics and contribute to a more sustainable future.
While the taste of edible seaweed plastic was not mentioned in my sources, the focus on using seaweed as a packaging material suggests that its taste may be neutral or adaptable to various food products without imparting an unpleasant flavor.
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WikiCells: edible skins for food
The notion of edible plastic has been around for nearly a decade, with early examples including Ooho, an edible and biodegradable packaging created by three London-based design students. Ooho uses 'spherification', a technique of shaping liquids into spheres, to hold beverages and sauces.
Since then, several companies have developed edible packaging materials, including WikiCells, edible skins that encase food or liquids in a protective barrier. WikiCells was created by bioengineering professor Ting Lu from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering and Stephen Techtmann, an associate professor of biological sciences at Michigan Technological University. The pair were awarded the 2021 Future Insight Prize and €1 million ($1.19 million) in research funding from Merck KGaA, a German science and technology company.
WikiCells uses "natural food particles held together by nutritive ions" to create a completely edible skin as an alternative to plastic packaging. The technology has the potential to generate a safe and sustainable source of food, reduce plastic waste, and keep food fresher for longer.
Other examples of edible packaging materials include Notpla, a seaweed-based material that biodegrades naturally in four to six weeks and can be composted at home. Los Angeles-based Coolhaus uses an edible potato wafer paper wrapping for its ice cream sandwiches, and Florida-based startup Poppits has developed water-soluble pods to reduce the need for plastic toothpaste tubes.
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Notpla: a sustainable, vegan plastic alternative
Notpla is a sustainable, vegan alternative to plastic that biodegrades naturally in four to six weeks. Unlike traditional plastics, it does not produce microplastics, can be composted at home, and does not contaminate recycling. Notpla is made from seaweed and was developed by a team of designers, chemists, engineers, and entrepreneurs.
One of Notpla's products is the Ooho, an edible and biodegradable packaging designed for beverages and sauces. Ooho can replace plastic cups and bottles at festivals and sporting events, helping to reduce single-use plastics. For example, it was trialled at the Virgin Money London Marathon to provide hydration for runners. In addition to Ooho, Notpla offers 100% home compostable takeaway boxes lined with a Notpla coating.
The idea of edible plastic is not new, with the concept having been explored in academic bioengineering labs and startup companies for nearly a decade. Several companies are developing innovative solutions to reduce plastic waste, such as edible coatings for fruits and vegetables, edible potato wafer paper wrapping for ice cream sandwiches, and water-soluble pods as an alternative to plastic toothpaste tubes.
WikiCells, developed by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Grainger College of Engineering, is another example of edible packaging. It uses "natural food particles held together by nutritive ions" to create a completely edible skin that encases food or liquids, providing a protective barrier. Similarly, researchers from the University of Illinois and Michigan Technological University have been recognized for their work in using microbes and chemicals to break down end-of-life plastics and transform them into edible food. These innovations in edible and biodegradable plastics have the potential to revolutionize the way we think about packaging and contribute to a more sustainable future.
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Ooho: an edible, biodegradable beverage packaging
The idea of edible plastic has been floating around academic bioengineering labs and startup companies for almost a decade now. One of the most notable examples of edible plastic is Ooho, an edible and biodegradable beverage packaging created by three London-based industrial design students. Ooho uses 'spherification', a technique of shaping liquids into spheres first pioneered in labs in 1946, to hold water in a double membrane.
Ooho is a revolutionary product that can replace plastic cups and bottles at festivals and sporting events, helping to reduce single-use plastic waste. In fact, Ooho was trialled at the Virgin Money London Marathon to eliminate single-use plastics from the event. Not only is Ooho edible and biodegradable, but it is also compostable at home and does not contaminate recycling, making it a much more sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging.
The development of edible plastic is not limited to just Ooho. For example, Los Angeles-based Coolhaus wraps its ice cream sandwiches in an edible potato wafer paper wrapping. Additionally, Florida-based startup Poppits has developed water-soluble pods to reduce the need for plastic toothpaste tubes and caps. Another example is WikiCells, edible skins that encase food or liquids in a protective barrier using various "natural food particles held together by nutritive ions" to construct a completely edible skin as an alternative to plastic packaging.
While the taste of Ooho is not specifically mentioned, it is worth noting that edible plastic is typically made from natural, edible materials such as seaweed, potato wafer paper, and plant-derived materials. Therefore, it is likely that Ooho has a mild and pleasant taste, or perhaps no taste at all, as it is designed to be a packaging material rather than a food product. However, this is just speculation, and the actual taste of Ooho may vary depending on the specific ingredients and production process used.
Overall, Ooho represents a significant step forward in the quest to create sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional plastic packaging. By using edible and biodegradable materials, Ooho helps to reduce plastic waste and keep our planet cleaner and healthier for future generations.
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Edible coatings for fruits and vegetables
The concept of edible coatings for fruits and vegetables has gained traction as consumers increasingly demand fresh, additive-free products and seek to reduce plastic consumption and food waste. Edible coatings are thin layers applied directly to the surface of fruits and vegetables, acting as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging. These coatings are made from biopolymers, incorporating nanoparticles or essential oils to enhance their physicochemical properties. The primary role of these edible coatings is to create a protective barrier that prevents water vapour transmission, microbial growth, moisture loss, and oxidation, thereby prolonging the shelf life of perishable produce.
One of the key advantages of edible coatings is their ability to control the internal gas composition of packaged fruits and vegetables. For instance, coatings made from polysaccharides like sodium alginate, chitosan, and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose can selectively allow the passage of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This feature helps reduce the respiration rates of the produce, delaying the ripening process and extending shelf life. However, it is crucial to carefully select the coating material to prevent excessive carbon dioxide levels and oxygen depletion, which can lead to anaerobic fermentation and the development of undesirable odours and tastes.
To create these edible coatings, various organic sources are utilised. For instance, plant sections that are typically considered waste, such as skin, peel, seed, and straw, are rich in polysaccharides and proteins, which are essential for edible film production. Additionally, edible lipids commonly used include beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and fatty acids. Carnauba wax, derived from vegetables, is often combined with other coatings like shellac to protect apples and citrus fruits. Meanwhile, beeswax is blended with pea starch and cellulose derivatives to form thicker coatings for plums.
The application methods of edible coatings, such as drying, heating, cooling, or coagulation, play a significant role in their effectiveness. These coatings not only extend shelf life but also enhance the sensory attributes of the produce, improving their appearance and biochemical, physicochemical, and microbial stability. By adopting edible coatings, the food industry can significantly reduce its ecological footprint and address the challenges posed by traditional food packaging, contributing to a more sustainable future.
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Frequently asked questions
Edible plastic is a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic that biodegrades naturally in four to six weeks. It is made from materials such as seaweed, plant-derived peels and skins, and potato wafer paper.
The taste of edible plastic likely varies depending on its specific material composition. For example, seaweed-based edible plastic may taste like seaweed, while potato wafer paper-based edible plastic may taste like potatoes.
Yes, edible plastic is safe to consume. It is designed to be eaten and does not produce harmful microplastics or contaminate recycling like traditional plastic.
Edible plastic offers several benefits, including reduced plastic waste, extended food shelf life, and the ability to replace single-use plastic items such as cups and bottles and toothpaste tubes.
Some companies that offer products made with edible plastic include Notpla, Coolhaus, and Poppits. Notpla provides edible drinking capsules and compostable takeaway boxes, Coolhaus uses edible potato wafer paper for its ice cream sandwich wrapping, and Poppits develops water-soluble pods as an alternative to plastic toothpaste tubes.
