Indian scientists turn jackfruit and jamun seeds into plastic-free packaging that vanishes in 60 days

INDIA – Researchers at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have developed biodegradable films from agricultural waste such as jackfruit, jamun, and litchi seeds, offering an eco-friendly alternative to plastics that decomposes completely within 60 days.

Led by Dr. Preetam Sarkar, Associate Professor at the Department of Food Process Engineering, the research team, including Dr. Santhosh Ravichandran, Rahul Thakur, Bindhu Sravanthi, and Souvik Giri, has successfully transformed discarded fruit seeds into strong, flexible films suitable for food packaging.

The films not only extend the shelf life of fresh produce but also align with the principles of the circular economy by converting waste into value.

Plastics such as LDPE, HDPE, and polystyrene have long dominated the packaging industry due to their durability; however, their environmental footprint is staggering, with a decomposition time of up to 700 years, during which they break down into harmful microplastics that contaminate ecosystems and pose serious health risks.

To address this challenge, Dr. Preetam’s team turned to underutilized agricultural byproducts.

“We chose starches from the seeds of jackfruit, jamun, and litchi, combined with tamarind kernel polysaccharides, to form the base for our biodegradable films,” explains Dr. Preetam.

“These materials are rich in natural polymers and offer excellent mechanical and barrier properties.”

Jackfruit seeds, abundant in starch, provide the films with strength and flexibility, while jamun and litchi seeds contribute additional structural resilience.

The tamarind polysaccharides enhance durability, moisture resistance, and elasticity, all key for effective packaging.

Nanotechnology enhances functionality

The innovation goes a step further with the integration of nanoparticles, including zinc oxide, chitosan, and lignin nanoparticles, to boost antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

“Zinc oxide nanoparticles prevent microbial growth, chitosan adds antimicrobial efficacy, and lignin enhances antioxidant activity,” Dr. Preetam notes.

“Together, they protect food from spoilage-causing bacteria such as Bacillus cereus and E. coli.”

The resulting films are not only safe and biodegradable but also mechanically comparable to conventional plastics like polypropylene.

Prolonging freshness naturally

Using a dipping technique, the films are applied as thin, transparent coatings on fruits such as tomatoes, bananas, and sapotas, creating a breathable yet protective layer. In trials, coated tomatoes remained fresh for 15 days longer than uncoated ones.

“I spent nearly a year experimenting with whole seed powders before finding the right combination,” says Dr. Santhosh Ravichandran.

“Once we isolated the key starch compounds and reinforced them with natural nanofillers, the films performed exceptionally well as protective coatings.”

The films’ biodegradability adds another layer of environmental benefit.

“During soil degradation tests, we even saw small plants sprouting in the test cups,” Santhosh recalls. “It showed us how the films not only disappear but also enrich the soil, completing the circular economy loop.”

The team’s work underscores how material science and sustainability can intersect to create viable solutions to the plastic waste crisis.

“As consumers, we become stakeholders in this movement by supporting innovations that reduce pollution and restore ecological balance,” says Dr. Preetam.

The biodegradable seed-based films developed at NIT Rourkela highlight a powerful truth — that waste can be reborn as a resource.

With innovations like this, the seeds of everyday fruits may hold the key to a plastic-free future, one that quite literally grows from the ground up.

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