Singapore turns durian peels into medical bandages

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have successfully developed a process that turns food waste into antibacterial gel bandages.

The process involves shredding and freeze-drying the discarded durian skin , then extracting the cellulose powder and mixing it with glycerol. This mixture produces soft hydrogels and is eventually cut into antibacterial gel ribbons .

The Petri dish contains the steps to turn the durian rind into an antibacterial bandage, with the final product placed next to a regular medical bandage for comparison. (Photo: Reuters)

"In Singapore, we consume about 12 million durians every year. Apart from the pulp (the flesh), we can't do much with the skin and seeds. The durian skin - which makes up more than half of the durian's composition - - are often discarded and burned, contributing to environmental waste , " said Professor William Chen, director of the food science and technology program at NTU.

The team added that the technology could also turn other food waste such as used soybeans and grains into hydrogels, helping to limit the country's food waste.

Compared with ordinary medical dressings, organo-hydrogel dressings can keep the wound area cooler and more moist, which helps to speed up the healing process. Besides, the use of food waste and yeast to make antibacterial dressings is more cost-effective than dressings with antibacterial properties to expensive metal compounds such as silver or copper ions.

Professor William Chen (left) and Dr. Tracy Cui, the study's authors. (Photo: Reuters).

"The advantage of this medical dressing is: moist! So it prevents the wound from drying out and reduces the feeling of itching, which is suitable for people with skin diseases such as eczema," emphasized Chen.

Tan Eng Chuan (75 years old) is a durian trader. When in season, he sells at least 30 cases of durian per day, equivalent to 1,800kg. Sharing with Reuters, he believes that using the discarded parts of fruit to make medical bandages is an innovation, helping agriculture develop more sustainably.