Tag: Food

Mushrooms are suitable for sound insulation. Spent coffee grounds, as a Chinese university research team just discovered, could be used to deliver sustainable thermal insulation. Initially, the grounds were converted into biochar at 700°C, increasing the granules’ porosity from 40% to 70%. These cavities were then filled with a mix of environmentally-friendly solvents. This in turn prevented ethylcellulose, the...

A maze-like material keeps insects away from plants. In France, meanwhile, a startup is creating sustainable pesticides from plant scents as around 80% of harmful insects are drawn to by these odours. The team deciphers which scents are particularly attractive for different species, and replicates the molecules in the lab. These can be used for the targeted defence of...

Small villages can inspire innovation for the circular economy in cocoa production. Now an Oxford-based startup is working on a sustainable substitute to the cocoa bean. Sound familiar? This time rather than cell cultures the team is using the plant’s pod. First, the shells are chopped up and, using an age-old Japanese method, fermented with the help of fungi. The...

Prison libraries help residents gain new perspectives. Now, a non-profit organisation in the US is supporting communities with libraries of a different kind. Founded by a 17-year-old female high school student, the organisation uses public libraries and food banks to address the impact of ‘food deserts’, providing residents with seed packs free of charge. Locals thus have the opportunity...

The future of salmon could lie in cell cultures. Meanwhile, a California-based startup is betting on a similar process for cacao in a bid to avoid further deforestation. A reduction in rainforests not only causes drought, but increases the likelihood of flooding - both harming cacao yields. In a bioreactor, cell cultures from the cacao plant are naturally fermented...

A protective film from seagrass shows whether food has spoiled. Now, a Texas-based research team is looking at how to detect substances in liquid food products using electric signals from bacteria. The molecules in bacteria which create the signal can be toxic and are often swept away by liquids. Leading the team to enclose the bacteria safely in the...

Even jellyfish have culinary potential. But those undergoing radio- or chemotherapy often lose their sense of taste and smell. Enter a Swiss startup aiming to support those affected, in the process reducing the risk of malnutrition and helping cancer patients rediscover their love of food. An olfactory kit first establishes which aromas and scents patients can still perceive and...

Crispy cutlery and edible cups make a good snack for those on the go. But there are healthier options out there. A startup in the metropolitan area of Munich has taken a well-known high-protein, high-fibre meal and turned it into a drink. Its patent-pending process will see organic porridge turned into a liquid dish. Enzymes break down the starch...