Researchers from the Universities of Bath and York are developing a sustainable alternative to palm oil that will no longer endanger forests and orangutans. The growing demand for palm oil is endangering their life and natural habitat.
Researchers of the University of Bath and York are developing a sustainable alternative toPalm oil that will no longer endanger forests and orangutans.
The scientists they are processing un palm oil substitute for the production of which it will no longer be necessary to destroy the forests. Despite pressure from consumers who would no longer want it, palm oil continues to be used in numerous food, cosmetic and detergent products and is also used for the production of biofuels.
Companies choose palm oil not only because it is cheap, but also to have it available a colorless, odorless, tasteless and stable over time really suitable for making food and non-food products. For this reason, up to now, few have worked to support it.
Il new oil it is produced in the laboratory starting from a yeast (Metschnikowia pulcherrima) grown using as substrate some agricultural by-products, such as wheat chaff and rapeseed chaff. In this way the researchers get a alternative oil which is very similar to palm oil: it has the same characteristics that interest industries and the same density.
Photo font: Itv
The hope is that laboratory development of a viable alternative to palm oil will truly become the solution to deforestation. If forests no longer need to be cut down and burned to make room for oil palm plantations, ancient trees and animals already at risk of extinction will be safe.
Photo source: University of Bath
At the moment, however, researchers are only able to create small amounts of in the laboratory alternative oil, but soon, thanks to more funding, the team will be able to commit to increasing production. Will laboratory-made alternative oil replace real palm oil and save animals and the environment?
Marta Albè
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