The Department of Science and Technology has stated that Indian researchers have developed a composite paper made of carbon (graphene oxide) loaded with preservatives, that can be used as wrappers to help extend the shelf-life of fruits. Unlike the present technology, where preservatives are adsorbed by the fruit, the wrapper releases the preservative only when needed. The wrapper can be reused, which is a first.
A team of researchers led by P.S. Vijayakumar from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, looked for an alternative that could be generated from waste and would not lead to adsorption of preservatives in the fruit. The activated graphene oxide-loaded molecules are loaded with preservatives. This high preservative-loaded graphene oxide, when cast into a paper used for fruit wrapping, ensures that the fruit is not loaded with toxic preservatives.
