Revolutionizing Food Preservation: How Melatonin and Nanotech Could Help Reduce Food Waste.

In a world where nearly one-third of all food produced is wasted often due to spoilage during storage and transport, scientists may have found a game changing solution. A new study published in Nano Letters introduces a sustainable, nature-inspired way to keep produce fresh without relying on energy-intensive refrigeration (Han et al., 2025).

Researchers led by Yangyang Han and Benedetto Marelli have developed a nanotechnology-based delivery system that applies tiny, biodegradable carriers directly onto harvested crops. These carriers release melatonin, a naturally occurring plant compound, in precise doses to regulate ripening and delay spoilage.

This method works within the plant itself (in planta), helping it manage oxidative stress and maintain postharvest health without altering its taste, nutrition, or safety profile. Most importantly, it does so outside the cold chain, offering a low energy alternative to refrigeration, especially critical in regions with limited infrastructure.

By extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables naturally and safely, this innovation could help reduce food waste, lower carbon emissions, and promote more resilient food systems all with minimal ecological footprint.

This is more than just a scientific breakthrough it's a step toward a smarter, greener food future.

Follow Greeenblogs for more stories, tips, technological breakthroughs and actions on protecting our environment every day.

Reference:

Han, Y., Jangir, M., Ngoh, A. S. Y., Li, C., Sarangapani, S., Cao, Y., Zhang, Y., Cheerlavancha, R., Sarojam, R., & Marelli, B. (2025). Precise Delivery of Physiological Doses of Melatonin in Planta to Control Postharvest Physiology and Extend Shelf Life Outside the Cold Chain. Nano Letters. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c00487

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