A researcher at RMUTT invents his ethylene absorbent paper from pineapple peel waste

A researcher at RMUTT invents his ethylene absorbent paper from pineapple peel waste

Asst. Prof. Dr. Warinthorn Poolsri, a researcher and professor at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT) invented ethylene absorbent paper made out of pineapple peel as an industrial waste that could be used as part of extending orchid lifespan during export transportation.  

Asst. Prof. Dr. Varinthorn Poonsri revealed that the pineapple peel wastes as potential source of environmental problems were generated in large amounts by agro-industries and on the contrary, orchids were considered to possess one of the highest export economic crop in the world but with its short shelf-life. To utilize pineapple peel waste and prolong orchid lifespan, an innovation research had been conducted to develop ethylene absorbent paper made up of pineapple peel that could help extend the shelf-life of exported orchid plants. Concerning the benefits of ethylene absorbent paper, pineapple fiber, when separated, was very porous and thus, suitable for modification into paper particularly once it was soaked together with ethylene adsorption chemicals, the paper itself was still light in weight and yet very suitable for absorbing ethylene, saving the transportation costs, and prolonging the lifespan of orchid during export when compared to other types of methods..   For its production process, removal of the remaining pineapple peels and extract them into pineapple fibers were conducted. Later on, these fibers would be modified into a sheet of paper soaked with chemicals and wait until dried. Finally, put those obtained paper into packaging boxes that were ready for exporting orchids. It could be said that after putting ethylene absorbent paper into the box, the lifespan of orchid had been extended to 18 days. 

With its better preservation properties, ethylene absorbent paper would not only be suitable for extending orchid lifespan when compared to the traditional transportation method but could also be adding values to the so-called waste. With this very innovative research, many economic fruits such as mango and durian could also be applied with this innovative method of preserving their fruit shelf-life.

With the cause of high ethylene production, a number of economic crops could be spoiled faster than usual and thus, when ethylene absorbent paper were packed into the packaging box of fruits ready for export , this innovation was capable of maintaining product quality than any other traditional methods.  

This research work on ethylene absorbent paper innovation made up of pineapple peel waste received an honorable award from “The 8tj Innovation Awards 2018, organized by the RMUTT Research and Development Institute. For those who are interested in this innovative research, more information could be acquired at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology.