Sat Apr 12 12:56:28 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Researchers Develop Hydrogel Coating to Extend Shelf Life of Produce
**Adoor, Kerala, April 12, 2025** – Researchers at St. Cyril’s College in Adoor, Kerala have developed a groundbreaking hydrogel coating that can significantly extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by up to 30 days. This innovative solution, developed by the college’s Carbon Research Group, offers a safer and more natural alternative to traditional preservation methods.
Unlike chemical preservatives that can negatively impact taste, texture, and nutritional value, the hydrogel creates a hydrated barrier around produce, preventing moisture loss and maintaining firmness. The coating, easily washable with water, leaves no harmful residue.
Lead researcher Anoop Chandran explained that refrigeration, while extending freshness, is energy-intensive and often inaccessible to small-scale farmers. The hydrogel, he stated, works by slowing the natural respiration rate of fruits and vegetables through controlled gas exchange, delaying ripening and inhibiting microbial growth.
The team, including Fr. Rejo Mathew Joseph and Runcy Wilson, collaborated with Sony George at TKM Institute of Technology for characterization and testing. Their research highlights the risks associated with existing methods, including the use of banned chemicals like calcium carbide and wax coatings containing potentially harmful compounds like morpholine.
The researchers are now preparing to patent their technology, with an eye towards commercial application and the potential to revolutionize food preservation methods, especially benefiting small farmers and reducing food waste.
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