#starch processing plant

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Innovative, ecofriendly rigid foam production from pineapple field leftovers

A team of researchers from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore has successfully harnessed pineapple waste materials from agriculture to create biodegradable rigid composite foams. The foam's base was formulated using starch extracted from pineapple stems, known for their high amylose content, while the filling material was derived from non-fibrous cellulosic components found in pineapple leaves. Diverging from conventional techniques which involve preparing a batter, this study introduced a unique methodology. It began by creating a starch gel mixed with glycerol, achieved through the use of a common household microwave oven. The resulting mixture was then blended with the filling material using a two-roll mill. Subsequently, the amalgam was transformed into foam through compression molding at a temperature of 160°C.

Read more.

[urgothgfsbeltchain]

“i’ve been loved before,

but right now, in this moment,

i feel more and more like i was made for you.”

[newbusinessideas]

Top 10 Small-Scale Food Dehydration Business Ideas

✨ Turn your passion into profit! Discover the Top 10 Small Scale Food Dehydration Business Ideas that can make you high profits. Don’t miss out—follow us now for more game-changing ideas! 🚀 #FoodDehydration #SmallBusiness #ProfitableIdeas #Entrepreneur

Food dehydration is a process that helps in preserving fruits, vegetables and herbs and increasing their shelf life. Nowadays, the demand for processed and packaged food is increasing rapidly. Yes, people are paying more attention to healthy and natural foods. So, dehydrated food also has a huge demand in the market. Also, the market for dehydrated food is growing rapidly in India. According to…

[apas-95]

What do you think is the best/most efficient/least environmentally damaging way to feed the entire population of the world if we had global communism or whatever

Heavy industry.

Currently, the issue is this -- there is a limited amount of land and water available at any given time. Our food production all, ultimately, depends on plants. Either we eat plants directly, or we grow plants to feed to animals we then eat.

With this in mind, it is clear that industrial animal agriculture has inherent inefficiencies. A cow that eats soybeans and cornfeed is using over 90% of its energy to heat its body, and of the remaining portion, much goes to locomotion, thinking, etc. It is genuinely, within our agricultural system, a massive waste that a battery chicken is born with legs and a brain. In the wild, these would pay for themselves -- a chicken uses its legs and brain to hunt for worms and seeds, the cow stays warm to forage for grass.

Clearly, here, plants are more efficient: you can either grow one acre of soybeans and process them into a dozen impossible whoppers; or you can grow a hundred acres of soybeans, feed them to a cow, and then process that cow into a dozen possible whoppers. This was not always possible -- historically, there were nutrients and structures that could not be found other than from animal tissue, because animals are very complex machines, and this was a good source -- but through modern technology, it is now feasible.

The next step after this, in a hypothetical global communism, is to jump over the inefficiencies of plants themselves, and begin producing food directly. We are already able to synthesise basic starch directly from CO2, in a process several-fold more efficient than that carried out by plants. Our technological level is not there yet, but if it arrives there, we would have achieved the smallest possible footprint for our food production, one that wouldn't even neccesarily have to pollute and occupy Earth itself.

Thanks for writing in!

[afternoondreaming]

No Business Like Show Business (8/?)

Hello, dear viewers! Finally time for you to actually get to this screenwriter business. Bet you forgot that was your job title after all this time, huh?

Monday. The worst day of the week for every working class citizen. One that upon its utterance plants the seed of exhaustion into the very marrow of humanity’s bones. Well, you were being dramatic. It just sucked. Especially since it is your first actual day of working at Puzzlevision as it’s sole employee. Your hand slammed down onto your phone in attempts to stop the alarm that blared in your ears, knocking it off of your bedside table in the process as you groaned in annoyance. No, no, you must remain positive. It’s your first day at a new studio! Your boss was kind enough and at least you wouldn’t have to deal with asinine small talk with other employees and interns…! You’d have the office all to yourself- besides Mr. Puzzles- so you can play music of any genre and as loudly as you’d like! Positives. You must think of positives. Sluggishly retrieving your phone, you’d go about your morning ablutions while your mind wandered. What would you wear? Business casual would be your go-to, but it seemed rather unassuming in comparison to your superior. Strictly casual was definitely out of the question, then…

You would eventually find your way to your closet, freshly unpacked clothes from your move hanging in a neat order that would likely be failed to upkeep in due time. Your tired eyes would scan across, coming up at a loss as-… Something was there that most certainly was not when you packed. A double breasted suit jacket of monotone grey, accents of white along the shoulders and down the length of the sleeves. The starched collar of the jacket raised so that it may wrap around your neck, a black bow tie hung neatly around the hanger so that it may be paired with it. It looked much like a black and white version of an old cinema uniform, the main point standing out being the recognizable white TV logo on the left breast pocket. Had Mr. Puzzles left you a uniform…? Given it’s just a jacket and a bow tie, you likely could pair it with any pair of black slacks to complete it. While it was somewhat startling to find an unwelcome new addition to your wardrobe, it at least allowed you a simplicity of choice.

Puzzlevision Studios was but a short ten minute walk away, the soles of your shoes clicking against the sidewalk as you adjusted your bowtie with one hand and held your portfolio bag in the other. A rather nice day, hopefully a herald of a good work day as you came across the faded asphalt of the abandoned parking lot. Still eerie, you thought, pushing open the front door and preparing yourself for that puff of dust you were met with last time. Though, as you squinted your eyes and paused, you’d find that no grime of derelict years would greet you. Rather, that distinct lemony scent of floor cleaner. Mr. Puzzles had actually kept true to his word, having cleaned at least a section of the building for your use. Now that you could actually see the furniture beneath the caked grime, you’d have to guess that they were from the 50’s. Slim, streamlined wooden desks and conical hanging light fixtures adorning the sparsely populated office waiting space. At least, that was your guess, you weren’t in charge of props after all.

You walked past the waiting area and to the beginning of the hall, though stopped as something caught your eye. On one of the first doors down the hall was a rather out of place looking sign, very obviously handmade as it seemed the ink had slightly smudged atop the cheap printer paper. ‘Screenwriter’s Room’. Well, at least that made it easy, you thought, opening the door and jolting in surprise. Mr. Puzzles had been in there, apparently still cleaning with a dust cloth in his hand. He had yelped in surprise in turn at your sudden intrusion, though covered it up with a cough and a sideways glance.

“Ahem—- Starlet! Aha! Welcome, to the new and improved~…!” The man did a dramatic pose, gesturing to the finally clean living conditions. “Puzzlevision Studios!” He seemed to wait with baited breath as you looked around your would-be office, examining it out of politeness for all the work he had apparently put in. It wasn’t the most glamorous thing you’d ever seen; in fact, most would consider this a downgrade in conditions. Where you had recently come from a rather modern, ‘hip’ office with open planned drafting areas stocked with beanbag chairs and snack cabinets, this was absolutely archaic. A small room with a window to view the run down parking lot, one large table filling the space covered in permanent ink stains and notches from use, and two frankly uncomfortable looking wooden chairs. But, hey, at least it wasn’t mostly dust…!

“Thanks, Mr. Puzzles…!” You spoke carefully, not wanting to hurt your new boss’ feelings as you went about putting down your things. After all, he signs your paychecks.

“No need for thanks, my loyal sidekick!” Despite the words, it was very obvious the man wanted thanks. “I am a man of my word, after all! And I see you’ve found the uniform I created! One must match with their minions, after all~! I dare say that greyscale suits you!” Mr. Puzzles gestured to you, then back at his outfit, radiating pride for his apparently genius idea.

“Yeah, about that.” You began, your stern tone causing his happy expression to fall. “I get wanting a uniform for your employees- even though it’s a bit weird given I’m just a screenwriter-“ Emphasizing your proper job title, you continued. “Can you not leave it in my closet without any warning? It’s kinda creepy. How did you even know my size?”

“Excuse you! I had offered to help you move! Why not leave it there since I was already assisting?!” He scoffed, insulted at your creepy comment. “Besides, I simply guessed at sizing. Best to leave it for you to get tailored at your leisure.” He had in fact guessed at the sizing, given he had spent plenty of time just staring at you while you watched movies on his screen. A lucky guess, and certainly not creepy…! That’s what he’d tell himself, at least. He had gotten it done at the same place where he got his signature designer clothes, so at least you’d be similar once he got up to his villainy. Easier for everyone to know whose side you were on!

“Sure, sure.” You’d leave it at that, given he didn’t seem to mess with your room further. “Just don’t go leaving any more surprises around my house, ‘kay?”

Mr. Puzzles rolled his eyes— well, as best as a mostly static picture possibly could—- and sat down in the chair opposite yours. “Now! To business!” His hand went to one of his knobs, switching the picture to Puzzlevision’s current ratings. “We are… at zero stars.” He brushed past that part rather quickly, turning the knob again back to his face. “So! We need a breakout hit to being to correct course! Craft something genius, Starlet!” He waved his hand dismissively, ignoring the look of absolute confusion on your face.

“There’s so much to process here.” You pinched the bridge of your nose in frustration, thinking it all over. “First: how the hell did we get to zero stars?!” While Mr. Puzzles’ knee jerk reaction was to begin to admonish you for even questioning such a thing, one word gave him pause. We. Despite it being your first day, you seemed to already count yourself at a proper Puzzlevision employee… He was lucky you were still so frustrated so you wouldn’t see the genuinely pleasant expression on his face. “Second: you can’t just tell me to craft something!” You exclaimed, hands dropping to your sides as you looked at him in mocking annoyance. “There’s a process to this! I need to know what you’ve done already, what films got what ratings, what test audiences thought was good and bad…!”

Test audiences. He… Hadn’t thought of that. Perhaps it would’ve been a good idea, but he’d be damned if he let you know that he never even considered it. “I have tried everything!” He exclaimed back, voice raising. “Foreign films, game shows, horror, westerns, kids programming, even a damn fairy tale for goodness sakes!” For each listed genre his screen would change to the poster, growing frustration at having to list each of his prior failures. “Everything!”

You racked your brain, watching the man ramble before an idea would finally strike. “You didn’t try romance.” You countered, Mr. Puzzles stopping mid ramble with a confused look on his face. He even had a little loading circle… You’d unpack how you felt about that later.

“Excuse you?”

“Romance! Sure you did a fairytale, but that’s not really a proper romance. If you do a romance right, you gain a practically rabid fanbase who’ll consume anything you put out related to it.” It was an easy genre to mess up, and one that could get you a lot of flak. But the rewards far outweighed the losses, given there was practically nothing to lose. “I worked on a few serialized romance series, so I’ve got the experience under my belt. What’s our pool of actors looking like? Can you call back the ones who performed in the other shows?”

“Absolutely not!” His sudden objection left you rather confused, but he continued anyway. “I refuse to… Call back, those oafs!” Mr. Puzzles didn’t exactly want you knowing that they were held against their will and brainwashed into performing. “They are wholly unprofessional and have produced the single worst show I have ever seen!”

“Okay, okay, jeez… You’re the one with zero stars, though.” You decided not to push that further, moving on before he could comment on your little jab. “So you’re telling me we have no actors, no staff, and no existing fanbase.”

“Exactly why I hired you.” Mr. Puzzles’ manic face returned, a slightly imposing look when he seemed to tower over you even when sitting. “We’ll develop a show with a skeleton crew of actors, a shoestring budget and you must get our ratings sky high. Do I make myself clear?” God, the man looked scary with that threatening tone, a shiver going up your spine.

“Crystal…” You replied, clearing your throat to distract from the slight terror. “So, we’re probably looking at two actors at least… I can work with this. Filming in your head will make for great sets, at least… How’ll we run through the screenplay with just us, though?”

“Simple, Starlet!” His demeanor changed back to something less threatening, though you still couldn’t shake that inkling of fear. “We’ll act it out ourselves until we can find suitable replacements!”

…Oh boy.

[ronqueesha]

It's Warhammer facts time!

The food most commonly eaten by Imperial citizens is corn. Regular, average sweet corn that we eat IRL, in all its different forms. It's one of the few plants that survived the destruction of Terra's ecology, largely thanks to how it can grow almost anywhere. It's been a staple of offworld human colonies since humanity first colonized the stars tens of thousands of years ago.

Agri-worlds are planets that have had the majority of their landmass flattened into continent-sized agricultural fields. The Imperium uses these endless fields to ship food to all the hungry planets of the galaxy. Of course, this is the Imperium we're talking about. They do not practice sustainable farming on a planetary scale. Every single Agri-world is eventually doomed to have its soil collapse from over-production. Many inhospitable and barren planet that has some tiny shred of human population living on it were once agri-worlds that were farmed to death.

The meat that MOST people eat, if they're lucky, is grox meat. Groxes are large lizards that have been domesticated and bred on agri-worlds in countless number. Like corn, they can live just about anywhere, so are perfect to be shipped to any part of the galaxy.

Corpse Starch is a bit of a meme because it's not REALLY eaten by that many people in the galaxy. Only the truly desperate and downtrodden citizens in the worst hive cities have eaten it. And is often used as an emergency food ration for soldiers when zero other supplies are available. As its name implies, corpse starch is the ground-up remains of dead people, processed into tasteless sludge packed into tin cans. Its whole existence is a meme referencing Soylent Green. In fact, corpse starch is also known as "soylent veridian" in some parts of the galaxy, if the reference wasn't blatant enough.

Games Workshop's official stance is that Warhammer 40k and Warhammer Fantasy/Age of Sigmar are completely separate universes with no real crossovers. This stance was a little different in the past, with lots of little cheeky references in old codexes and magazine articles. Such as the non-canon notion that the entire 40k galaxy is actually contained in a bottle on the shelf of a wizard's tower.

BUUUUUUT - ever since Doom Eternal came out, the stance seems to have followed a path similar to how the Doom franchise treats hell. There is only one warp, only one sea of souls that connects all life, and all life across multiverses. The four chaos gods are constant because they are the same four beings in the warp, although they are viewed by very different lenses depending on where an observer thinks of them. Their greatest daemons likewise can appear in any reality the gods wish them to be, though the daemons themselves are unaware of how they're being used as toys. That's why you can play as Skarbrand/Kairos/Kugath/Nkari in Total War Warhammer 3, and also have those daemons on the tabletop in a 40k game.

Likewise, there is a character with an identical name, design and backstory in both fantasy and 40k. Be'lakor was the first ever champion of chaos. From an ancient unknown land, he was the first to gain their favor, and was forever transformed into an immortal daemon prince with immense power. But the gods quickly realized they gave him too much power, and his ambition and evil proved a threat to their grand design. So Be'lakor has forever been cursed to be toyed with by the gods, his schemes for revenge and domination always thwarted. In Fantasy he was even forced to crown another person the everchosen, and watched that man literally destroy the world.

And if you like Richard Armitage's voice, he did the voice acting for Be'lakor in Total War Warhammer 3. Just saying.

[the-most-humble-blog]

𝘋𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘏𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘵 𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 – 𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘴!

(For the uninitiated, Warhammer 40K is set in a bleak, dystopian sci-fi future where humanity is crammed into massive hive cities, layered slums stretching miles into the sky. In the depths of these urban hellscapes, food is scarce, and the poor will eat anything—no matter how questionable. The following menu is from a hive-level eatery that specializes in desserts for those whose moral and digestive limits are flexible.)

☠ 𝙎𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙨: 𝘼 𝙏𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚 𝙊𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙞𝙩 ☠

1. Blood Pudding Pops – 6 Throne Gelt

🩸 "Like a plasma wound... but sweeter!"

Nothing beats the crunch of frozen, clotted hemoviscera on a stick! This grim classic is made from recycled nutrient-rich blood collected from underhive meat pits (source unconfirmed, but best not to ask). Flash-frozen and dipped in a glossy sump-oil chocolate shell to lock in that just-slaughtered freshness. If yours still pulsates, congratulations—it’s extra fresh!

2. Rotberry Tarts – 5 Throne Gelt

🍓 "Fermented to perfection! (And legally not a biohazard.)"

What’s that tang? Why, it’s our signature "wildly unregulated" fermentation process! We take overripe underhive berries—those resistant to most pesticides and mildly radioactive—and let them stew in their own juices until they develop that fizzy, borderline-alcoholic texture. Each tart is guaranteed to contain at least one hallucinogenic mold spore, so prepare for a spiritual experience or severe gastric distress—whichever comes first!

3. Bone Marrow Gelato – 7 Throne Gelt

🍦 "Creamy, dreamy, and questionably sourced!"

Rich, indulgent, and packed with mystery marrow! Our gelato starts with a hearty extraction from bones we “acquire” from reliable vendors—whether they were volunteers or not is above our pay grade. Blended with vat-grown pseudo-milk and synthetic sugar, this treat has a delightfully gamey aftertaste and may come with "bonus memories" from its former owner! Some customers report experiencing strange, unfamiliar dreams after consuming—don’t worry, it’s just a side effect!

4. Nutrient Sludge Trifle – 8 Throne Gelt

🥄 "Corpse-starch meets luxury!"

For those who wish to eat like the working-class masses, but fancier! We start with three layers of reconstituted corpse-starch (yes, the same protein-dense ration used to feed the Imperium’s least fortunate). Then, we drizzle it with a questionable "synthetic vanilla" syrup, pile on expired sump-milk custard, and top it off with candied cockroach wings for an extra crunch. The result? A deceptively sweet sludge that reminds you where you belong in the hive’s food chain.

5. Glowspore Éclair – 9 Throne Gelt

🌟 "It lights up! So will you!"

A flaky, deep-fried chitin-crust pastry stuffed with bioengineered luminescent fungal cream that grows deep within the toxic runoff caverns. Not only does it glow in the dark (fun for kids!)—it’ll make you glow, too! Some lucky customers have reported seeing their veins light up through their skin. Others have found it difficult to sleep after eating due to the spores taking root in their bloodstream. Either way, it’s a treat to remember!

6. Hive Queen’s Egg Custard – 12 Throne Gelt

🐜 "The egg is... a surprise."

Our creamiest custard, infused with nutrient-dense excretions from hive-born arthropods. The best part? Every serving comes with a mystery egg tucked inside. It could be a delightful, protein-rich yolk, or it could be a fertilized larva just waiting to hatch inside your gut! Either way, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

7. Flayfruit Pudding – 10 Throne Gelt

🍮 "It peels back more than just your hunger!"

This smooth, syrupy pudding is made from the ultra-rare Flayfruit, a mutated underhive plant known for its flesh-stripping enzymes. The flavor is a glorious mix of citrus, acid, and mild pain, and it burns just enough to let you know it’s working. Side effects include "accidental loss of soft tissue", and long-term consumers may experience spontaneous shedding of fingernails or lips. Pairs well with bone broth... if you still have bones left.

8. Ration Bar Tiramisu – 11 Throne Gelt

☕ "For the discerning scummer!"

We start with old, expired Imperial Guard ration bars (the ones even they won’t eat) and soften them by soaking them in strong recaf mixed with sumpwater runoff. Then, we layer it with synthetic sump-milk foam and dust the top with a blend of carbon shavings and machine oil for that "authentic hive-flavor." The result? A tiramisu that makes you question your life choices.

9. Maggot Mousse – 6 Throne Gelt

🪱 "You didn't hear that squish."

Whipped to perfection using the natural movement of hive maggots, this silky, protein-packed mousse is served chilled to slow their metabolism just enough to keep them from escaping before consumption. Be sure to chew carefully—some of them have been known to reactivate upon swallowing.

10. Emperor’s Mercy Pudding – 15 Throne Gelt

👑 "A dessert so good, it just might be your last!"

The pinnacle of our menu: a thick, velvety pudding infused with underhive amasec and just a whisper of "unregulated chemical agents." Every batch is slightly different, meaning some experience a blissful, euphoric high, while others experience cardiac arrest within minutes. It’s the perfect dessert for those who wish to leave this world on a high note! No refunds, no liability.

🔹𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟🔹

🦠 "𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙩 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙊𝙬𝙣 𝙍𝙞𝙨𝙠" 𝘽𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙩 – 30 Throne Gelt

Unlimited access to all menu items (if your digestive system survives the experience!)

Complimentary gut parasite removal (if the doc’s sober enough to operate!)

🎭 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙤:

"Sweetness is fleeting. The horror is forever."

🍽 Bon appétit, scummers! 🍽

🔥 REBLOG If you want more!🔥

[wachinyeya]

https://news.ku.dk/all_news/2024/06/researchers-invent-one-hundred-percent-biodegradable-barley-plastic/

From the article; Enormous islands of it float in our oceans and microscopic particles of it are in our bodies. The durability, malleability and low cost of plastics has made them ubiquitous, from packaging to clothing to aircraft parts. But plastics have a downside. Plastics contaminate nature, are tough to recycle and their production emits more CO2 than all air traffic combined.

Now, researchers at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences have invented a new material made from modified starch that can completely decompose in nature – and do so within only two months. The material is made using natural plant material from crops and could be used for food packaging, among many other things.

"We have an enormous problem with our plastic waste that recycling seems incapable of solving. Therefore, we’ve developed a new type of bioplastic that is stronger and can better withstand water than current bioplastics. At the same time, our material is one hundred percent biodegradable and can be converted into compost by microorganisms if it ends up somewhere other than a bin," says Professor Andreas Blennow of the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences.

Only about nine percent of plastic is recycled globally, with the rest being either incinerated or winding up in nature or dumped into enormous plastic landfills.

Bioplastics already exist, but the name is misleading says Professor Blennow. While today’s bioplastics are made of bio-derived materials, only a limited part of them is actually degradable, and only under special conditions in industrial composting plants.

"I don't find the name suitable because the most common types of bioplastics don't break down that easily if tossed into nature. The process can take many years and some of it continues to pollute as microplastic. Specialized facilities are needed to break down bioplastics. And even then, a very limited part of them can be recycled, with the rest ending up as waste," says the researcher.

Starch from barley and sugar industry waste

The new material is a so-called biocomposite and composed of several different substances that decompose naturally. Its main ingredients, amylose and cellulose, are common across the plant kingdom. Amylose is extracted from many crops including corn, potatoes, wheat and barley.

Together with researchers from Aarhus University, the research team founded a spinoff company in which they developed a barley variety that produces pure amylose in its kernels. This new variety is important because pure amylose is far less likely to turn into a paste when it interacts with water compared to regular starch. Cellulose is a carbohydrate found in all plants and we know it from cotton and linen fibers, as well as from wood and paper products. The cellulose used by the researchers is a so-called nanocellulose made from local sugar industry waste. And these nanocellulose fibers, which are one thousand times smaller than the fibers of linen and cotton, are what contribute to the material’s mechanical strength.

"Amylose and cellulose form long, strong molecular chains. Combining them has allowed us to create a durable, flexible material that has the potential to be used for shopping bags and the packaging of goods that we now wrap in plastic," says Andreas Blennow.

The new biomaterial is produced by either dissolving the raw materials in water and mixing them together or by heating them under pressure. By doing so, small 'pellets' or chips are created that can then be processed and compressed into a desired form.

Thus far, the researchers have only produced prototypes in the laboratory. But according to Professor Blennow, getting production started in Denmark and many other places in the world would be relatively easy.

"The entire production chain of amylose-rich starch already exists. Indeed, millions of tons of pure potato and corn starch are produced every year and used by the food industry and elsewhere. Therefore, easy access to the majority of our ingredients is guaranteed for the large-scale production of this material," he says.

Could reduce plastic problem

Andreas Blennow and his fellow researchers are now processing a patent application that, once it has been approved, could pave the way for production of the new biocomposite material. Because, despite the huge sums of money being devoted to sorting and recycling our plastic, the researcher does not believe that it will really be a success. Doing so should be seen as a transitional technology until we bid fossil-based plastics a final farewell.

"Recycling plastic efficiently is anything but straightforward. Different things in plastics must be separated from each other and there are major differences between plastic types, meaning that the process must be done in a safe way so that no contaminants end up in the recycled plastic. At the same time, countries and consumers must sort their plastic. This is a massive task that I don’t see us succeeding at. Instead, we should rethink things in terms of utilizing new materials that perform like plastic, but don’t pollute the planet," says Blennow.

The researcher is already collaborating with two Danish packaging companies to develop prototypes for food packaging, among other things. He envisions many other uses for the material as well, such as for the interior trims of cars by the automotive industry. Though it is difficult to say when this biofriendly barley-based plastic will reach the shelves, the researcher predicts that the new material may become a reality in the foreseeable future.

“It's quite close to the point where we can really start producing prototypes in collaboration with our research team and companies. I think it's realistic that different prototypes in soft and hard packaging, such as trays, bottles and bags, will be developed within one to five years," concludes Andreas Blennow.

[chalogreen]

Exploring Eco-Friendly Packaging

What is Sustainable Packaging?

Sustainable packaging uses materials and production processes that yield a minimal environmental impact. The aim is to be environmentally friendly.

Benefits of Sustainable Packaging

Biodegradable - They are made from either plant-based or recycled materials that naturally degrade without leaving toxic waste.

Compostable - Decomposes naturally through commercial compost processes. Leaves no trace of plastic.

Recyclable - Commodities consisting of post-consumer recycled paper are recyclable.

Accountable Materials - For example, mushroom fibers, banana leaves, and algae reduce the over-reliance on plastic and the excessive processes involved.

Ethical production - the use of sustainably sourced, locally produced, and fairly traded materials has proven to improve lives while having a lighter impact on the environment.

Small Carbon Footprint - Eco packaging vastly reduces the carbon emissions resulting from traditional manufacturing and waste.

Simple Swaps

Paper or Plastics - Go for paper envelopes, boxes and filler made from recycled content. Don’t use plastic poly bags and bubbles.

Glass vs Plastic - Choose glass bottles over single-use plastics because glass is infinitely recyclable.Support plastic reduction initiatives.

Compostable vs. Styrofoam - Replace styrofoam peanuts with compostable corn starch alternatives. Support the ban on non-recyclable products.

For stylish, zero waste, environmentally friendly packaging solutions pay a visit to Chalogreen. They manufacture their products which are entirely plant-based thus saving the planet.

[teamnovaore]

Big From season 3 spoilers if you have no idea what one of the big conflicts is:

I wrote a fucking essay on The from Reddit about how Fromville citizens can survive hunger:

I think my prepper ex (who I went and saw The Martian with) rubbed off on me more than I want to admit lol. My family has a hobby farm, and while we don't slaughter (all pets) I know a lot of farm stuff.

Cheese, milk, butter, and eggs are more important than meat. Cows, Goats, and sheep can survive on long grass, shrubs, and fallen leaves. Cows are also super important as if the soil is poison, cow poop composts back to fresh new soil. Sheep, goat, and chicken poop can be used in the process but cows give A LOT more.

My family is Russian, so do what my ancestors did and plant potatoes. They are to be planted in the cold so the cold temperatures won't fuck it up. Potatoes are starchy and have some protein. You can survive a while on it.

Chickens are Omnivores who will eat plants, bugs, and some starch. But! They do stop laying eggs in the winter if you do not set up a light system for them.

I keep yelling at the TV for the town to collect leaves and grass, make flour from it, and make super simple bread. Like your nickname is Mr Fish & LOAVES, get that bread. Try FISHING too.

Ration certain food out farther by making some of it as broth with some simple plant bread. Even use the plant flour to make noodles.

ETA: Potatoes really are the wonder food. They help prevent scurvy too which was the last thing I was wondering about

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Chemists create world's thinnest spaghetti

The world's thinnest spaghetti, about 200 times thinner than a human hair, has been created by a UCL-led research team. The spaghetti is not intended to be a new food but was created because of the wide-ranging uses that extremely thin strands of material, called nanofibers, have in medicine and industry. Nanofibers made of starch—produced by most green plants to store excess glucose—are especially promising and could be used in bandages to aid wound healing (as the nanofiber mats are highly porous, allowing water and moisture in but keeping bacteria out), as scaffolding for bone regeneration and for drug delivery. However, they rely on starch being extracted from plant cells and purified, a process requiring much energy and water. A more environmentally friendly method, the researchers say, is to create nanofibers directly from a starch-rich ingredient like flour, which is the basis for pasta.

Read more.

[newbusinessideas]

How to Start a Fruit and Vegetable Powder Manufacturing Business

Start your own Fruit & Vegetable Powders Business today! Perfect for health-conscious consumers, long shelf life, and booming demand in the wellness market. 💪✨ #BusinessIdeas #FruitPowder #VegetablePowder #Entrepreneurship #HealthyLiving

Fruit and vegetable powders are versatile ingredients used in a variety of food and beverage applications, including smoothies, baked goods, snacks, and nutritional supplements. Fruit and vegetable powders are typically made by removing the moisture content of fresh fruits and vegetables through a process called dehydration. The fruit and vegetable powder manufacturing industry has seen…

[inspofromancientworld]

Foods of the Ancient World: Processing Food

Source: https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2025-01-06/ty-article/prehistoric-carb-cravings-archaeologists-find-780-000-year-old-proof-of-plant-processing/00000194-3b44-d96e-a1d6-3bec9de20000

While it is known that early hominins mastered the use of fire and cooked meat, how they ate their plant matter was less certain. While our earliest ancestors were vegetarian, the shift to eating meat and marrow allowed more energy for brains to grow more complex as did the mastery of fire and cooking of meat. The thinking was that plant matter was consumed as those hominids tracked large game rather than as a primary part of their diet or altered in any way. This is partially because plant matter doesn't survive as well as the bones from animals does.

Source: https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2025-01-06/ty-article/prehistoric-carb-cravings-archaeologists-find-780-000-year-old-proof-of-plant-processing/00000194-3b44-d96e-a1d6-3bec9de2000

Recent research at Gesher Benot Ya'akov, however, has found tools from 780,000 years ago that had starch grains remaining in pits made from repeated use. These starches were identified as being from several types of plants ranging from acorns and other nuts to grasses like wheat and rye to waterlily root and water chestnut. There were also pulses like fava beans and lentils. These items are seasonal, showing that the hominins likely knew when to be in that area for the best food availability.

Source: https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/2025-01-06/ty-article/prehistoric-carb-cravings-archaeologists-find-780-000-year-old-proof-of-plant-processing/00000194-3b44-d96e-a1d6-3bec9de20000

At that age, the most likely hominin that would have been around is Homo erectus, though there haven't been any hominins fossils found in the area. What has been found are tool deposits including the above mentioned tools. From four stones that were used for pounding and four that were used as anvils. From these, the researchers were able to find 650 starch grains, 500 of which were identifiable to specific plants, the remaining too smashed to identify, lending credence to the theory that the plant material was deliberately pounded or ground between the rocks. Such use shows that plant material wasn't only eaten as an adjunct to hunting, but was a considered part of the meal. This also shows that those early hominins had the mental capacity to do more than just cook meat over a fire, but to know that acorns need to be soaked or roasted to reduce tanins and waterlily needs to be harvested underwater, likely needing the ability to swim and dive and the wild grasses point to some type of container.

By Neanderthal Museum - https://www.neanderthal.de/de/urmenschen.html, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94729481

Homo erectus is considered the most likely hominin as they lived from about 2,040,000 years ago to about 117,000 years ago and were the first hominin group to leave Africa and spread through West and South Asia, moving into grasslands and savannas that dominated those areas during the Quaternary glaciation. During their evolution, their brain capacity went from 900cc to 1200cc, which would have benefited from the carbohydrates in plants as much as the protein from animals.

[eljackinton]

Salaris "Butchess" Flamanka. Gang Queen and champion of Khorne. What started as an attempt to take over a corpse starch processing plant for her ended with a taste for violence beyond what the Clan Houses could offer. Only the Lady of Skin and Sinew could satiate her apatite.

[kourtneyinbalance]

Hey there! I’m Kourtney, a mom from Minnesota on a journey to reclaim my health. I’ve been vegan for 17 years, and my path has been a rollercoaster—one that I’m finally ready to open up about.

The last time I lost 80 pounds, I followed the Starch Solution and saw amazing results! But I fell into the pleasure trap, overindulging in vegan junk food. While it may be tasty, it’s still highly processed. In my opinion, it’s better than eating animal products—but cutting out junk food altogether is even better!

That’s why I’m here—to get back on track, document my journey, and create a safe, positive space for others who have struggled with their weight and are ready to take back control.

I’m sharing EVERYTHING—what I eat, my goals, revelations, inspiration, and exactly how I’m losing weight. I won’t just show the wins; I’ll be open about the struggles too, because weight loss isn’t perfect—it’s hard work!

I’m also filming a YouTube series as a video journal of my journey. I’m not quite ready to share it yet—it’s raw and personal—but I hope to in the future. More than anything, I want to build a community where I feel safe enough to be fully open.

I hope my story inspires others to take a similar approach. The Starch Solution is simple—focus on whole, plant-based foods like potatoes, rice, and plenty of vegetables. It’s an easy, sustainable way to lose weight and feel amazing.

So, ditch the junk, skip the animal products, and follow along—I can’t wait to take this journey with you!

-15/150lbs

[qwerty-between-the-lines]

Announcer: ...and our four contestants are ready. They will have 1 hour to put together their dishes. Before we get started, let's go to the floor and put our contestants in the hotseat.

Interviewer: First up, hailing from the US's very own NYC. Perseus ssss Jackson! How are you feeling, Percy?

Percy: I'm doing alright, thanks.

Interviewer: What do you have planned for the judges today?

Percy: I'm doing seafood.

Announcer: Seafood. No surprises from the son of Poseidon. Let's go now to Leo Valdez.

Interviewer: Hailing from the southern metropolis of Houston, Texas. It's the senior counselor of the Hephaestus cabin at Camp Half-Blood. Give it up for Leo Valdez!

Leo: WASSUP everybody!?

Interviewer: You seem excited.

Leo: Nah, that's just how I roll. I'd like to take a moment to say - let's everybody do the Team Leo!

Interviewer: What you have planned for us Leo?

Leo: Hispanic food! I do it best...

Interviewer: Confident, ain't he?

Announcer: That's Leo Valdez, folks. Now we go to our third contestant.

Interviewer: Let's all put our hands together for Athena's own daughter, Annabeth Chase. How're you feeling Annabeth?

Annabeth: I'm feeling great.

Interviewer: Psyched to win it?

Annabeth: You know it!

Interviewer: What are you cooking up for us today?

Annabeth: I'm doing desserts.

Announcer: Desserts! A bold choice from the daughter of Athena. Time will tell if Annabeth's desserts blow the judges away and send her home with the grand prize. Now let's go to our last contestant.

Interviewer: Our last contestant is His Grace, the Ambassador of Hades. The Ghost King himself. Nico di Angelo! How are you doing Nico?

Nico: Okay, I guess...

Interviewer: What are you cooking up for us?

Nico: I'm doing dishes with black ingredients.

Announcer: Another bold choice from this son of Hades. I think it is safe to say that our judges can look forward to a diverse spread of food at the end of the night. Now, let's get it started. One hour on the clock! Contestants... GO!

Percy

-starts placing large lettuce leaves on plates

-chops up onions

-dices potatoes

-cuts deboned fish into thin slices

-squeezes mayo into a bowl

-finely chops up two whole dill pickles

-measures out 1/4 cup of lemon juice

Announcer: I think it seems obvious that the son of Poseidon is preparing some kind of fish dish and tartar sauce, but what are the diced potatoes and onions for? It's anyone's guess, folks.

Leo

-chops up two tomatoes and two bell peppers

-opens two cans of refried beans

-starts rolling out corn flour flat

-starts ground pork to frying on low heat

-makes a four-cheese blend

Announcer: Leo appears to have two dishes underway already. One is probably tacos, but the corn flour is an interesting choice. What's he doing now?

Interviewer: Can you tell us what you're planning with the corn flour?

Leo: Sure. I'm making pupusas.

Announcer: ...and it is! Pupusas! A rather unexpected pleasure for our judges.

Annabeth

-whips up chocolate pudding mix

-crushes up graham crackers

-starts whipping cream

-breaks 3 eggs into a bowl

-starts adding two tablespoons of peanut butter,

Announcer: It looks like the daughter of Athena might be making peanut butter cookies. Clearly the pudding and the graham crackers are intended for something else. What could the whipped cream be for?

Nico

-stirs together blackberries, amaretto, and corn starch in a bowl

-sets premade pie crust on the counter

-starts black beans on low in a food processer

-starts melting cheese

-slices up two egg plants

-pours rice into rice cooker

Announcer: The son of Hades is fast on his feet. Watch him go folks! He already has what appears to be at least three dishes in the works. It's a little early to call, but the competition starts with Nico clearly in the lead.

(in audience) Will: Go Nico! Yeah!