OREANDA-NEWS  Employees of Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU NETI) have developed a gel made of biopolymers that prolongs the shelf life of fruits at room temperature. Fruits can be processed both at the packaging stage and directly on the tree, Ekaterina Litvinova, lecturer at the Department of Electrophysical Installations and Accelerators at NSTU NET, told TASS.

"We have already tested the gels on apples and tangerines. A thin layer of biogel protects the fruits from rapid drying - the safety of apples at room temperature has tripled, they are stored for three weeks," Litvinova said.

She clarified that the gel consists of two biopolymers and a binding agent, its composition is completely organic and is washed off fruits with ordinary water, and accidental ingestion is safe. Unlike wax, which is used in the food industry for long-term storage of apples, the gel is completely biodegradable and allows the smell of fruits to pass through.

It is assumed that the biogel spraying unit will be integrated into the packaging line. Employees of small farms will also be able to process the harvest directly on the trees or after harvesting the fruits.