Essay

Laura Sofia Florez Villamizar
CAMILO BETANCUR 8-1
Avocado seed packaging, a biodegradable hand
Every year, more than one hundred thousand tons of avocado seeds are produced
and thrown away, but now scientists have discovered how to create degradable
plastics from these seeds. Is it possible to replace polluting plastics with sustainable
materials? The avocado industry says yes. "Sustainable innovation is the key to a
greener future," said Dr. Juan Perez, lead scientist on this project.Researchers at the
National University have developed a material from avocado seeds, thus achieving
the production of biodegradable containers, these are reusable containers made
from avocado seeds (Hass) that thanks to the natural compounds they contain such
as lipids and cellulose, these containers will also ensure that the food stored in them
have a longer shelf life, in research centers, universities and laboratories in Mexico,
the United States and Colombia, they have been working on this idea, but you may
wonder how? in simple terms it consists of the extraction of the avocado seed and
the processing of its components and why? to obtain a biodegradable option of
packaging from avocado seeds. Reusable packaging made from avocado seeds
(Hass) thanks to the natural compounds they contain such as lipids and cellulose,
and they ensure longer shelf life for products.
Avocado seeds are often discarded without considering their potential uses and
benefits. They are emerging as a valuable raw material for the production of
biodegradable packaging, and this has been discovered by Juan Felipe Grisales
Mejía, a student of Food Science and Technology at the National University of
Colombia. In addition, in other parts of the world and in our country, the great
potential of the seed of this beautiful fruit has been taken into account. At the
University of the Americas in Bogotá, some students aspiring to the title of chemical
engineer carried out a comprehensive degree project on the preparation of biofilm
from avocado seeds.
“The avocado seed, which is practically considered waste when placed on the
ground, can serve as a fertilizer for infertile lands, however, its abundance can also
cause contamination”
thus causing a great waste of a component with a lot of potential and that can be
very useful in our fight to save the environment, “One of the main biological sources
for the production of biofilms is starch that comes from agricultural waste (peels,
seeds, pulps). attached)” Alejandra D, Paola E (2023) “ELABORATION OF BIOFILM
FROM AVOCADO SEED VARIETY LORENA” p. 20,31, the study of bioplastics from
avocado seeds is carried out with the aim of finding an alternative to plastic bags that
are produced from LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) by producing biodegradable
bags made from starch obtained from avocado seeds. To do this, a comparison is
made between the various sources of starch, and a procedure is established to carry
out the production process. Here is a quote that shows how changes in the products
we use daily are necessary for our evolution as a society and our care for our
environment “In 1869, John Wesley Hyatt revolutionized the world when he
industrially manufactured the first synthetic polymer of nitrocellulose derived from
cotton fiber with camphor; Its purpose was to find an alternative to replace ivory
since it was used as the main raw material in the production of billiard balls
(Chalmin, 2019)” Andres C, Rodriguez N, Kelly J (2021) BIOPLASTICS FROM
AVOCADO SEEDS
Another of the great benefits of avocado seed is that it contains a very specific
substance called polyphenol, which has a series of antibacterial and antifungal
properties. These properties together make them very beneficial for the preservation
of food products. According to the analysis, the bioplastic obtained is ideal for food
packaging because its thickness, opacity, antioxidant capacity and barriers against
moisture and light are perfect. One of the companies that has been concerned with
advancing the research of this new biodegradable packaging is the Mexican
company Biofase, which has created a completely biodegradable and compostable
bioplastic from avocado seeds. The idea arose when its creator, Scott Munguía,
detected that, worldwide, the main raw materials for generating bioplastics were two
important food sources: corn, potatoes and avocado.
Propolas (01/16/2018)
In conclusion this is a great project in which many people and research centers have
made progress and have considered their pros and cons and have found that it is a
great idea to create biodegradable packaging that helps the bioeconomy of cities to
become circular and not leave waste that ultimately is what contaminates and harms
our environment.
In addition to all these benefits, the fact that there is no more waste from the
avocado seed is a very good change. Can you imagine that in a few years instead of
going to the market they will give you a bag made from the seed of an avocado? that
someone consumed at some point, achieving a circular economy instead of giving
you a plastic bag that will never degrade and that will affect the environment and
therefore us directly, don't you think this would be a great change and relief for our
planet? well I hope so, that this is a step in evolution towards a friendlier relationship
with our only home.
Wednesday, 27th september.

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Laura Sofia Florez Villamizar

CAMILO BETANCUR 8-1

Avocado seed packaging, a biodegradable hand

Wednesday, 27th september.

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