The Science of Making Fruits and Veggies Last Longer | Jenny Du | TED

About this video

• Video Title: The Science of Making Fruits and Veggies Last Longer | Jenny Du | TED
• Channel: TED
• Speakers: Jenny Du, Latif Nasser
• Duration: 00:11:50

Overview

This video discusses the significant problem of food waste, particularly for fresh fruits and vegetables, and introduces a scientific solution developed by Apeel Sciences. The solution involves creating an edible, plant-based coating that mimics the natural peel of produce, thereby extending its shelf life without the need for refrigeration, pesticides, or plastic packaging.

Key takeaways

• The Scale of Food Waste: Approximately one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted, with fresh fruits and vegetables accounting for half of this. This waste has significant environmental and economic consequences.
• Limitations of Current Preservation Methods: Traditional methods like refrigeration, pesticides, waxes, and packaging have drawbacks, including high energy consumption, environmental impact, health concerns, and increased plastic waste.
• The Science of Apeel Sciences: The company's innovation is inspired by the natural protective layers (cuticles) of plants, which are made of fatty acids and glycerides. They developed a sprayable coating using these harmless, edible, plant-derived ingredients to reinforce the natural peel of fruits and vegetables.
• Benefits of the Apeel Coating: This coating helps retain flavor, texture, and nutrients, significantly extending shelf life. It reduces the need for refrigeration, pesticides, and plastic, and can even allow produce to be harvested at peak ripeness.
• Impact and Future: Apeel Sciences has prevented millions of pounds of produce from going to waste, saving water and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They aim to make a wider variety of fruits and vegetables more accessible and sustainable, though they face challenges in changing industry mindsets.