Mouldy food be a thing of the past

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Mouldy food be a thing of the past

7 yrs ago

photo: Murdoch University

Australia wastes around 30 perc ent of all food purchased, but that could become a thing of the past, as scientists believe they may now be able to stop mould in its tracks.

Plasma and electrical currents are being used to stop mould from taking hold on fresh food, bread, meats, grains, and even dairy products such as milk and cheese.

It's technology that's already widely used in medicine and dentistry. This 'plasma flame' is generated by an electrical charge, wihich is conducted through two electrodes using the air we breathe.

"That plasma coats the surface of the food, and what you do when you treat that surface is kill the mould spores on the surface so they can't infect the fruit," said Dr Bayliss.

Read the full story at ABC

6 comments

Abby

7 yrs ago

With the amount of rain we've been having, it will indeed be a blessing if it keeps fruit and vegies longer especially if it is chemically free.

Sandi (SA)

7 yrs ago

That's why when I bring things like grapes, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries,blueberries home from the shop I always wash them in a bowl with water and apple cider vinegar in the water, let them drain and dry before putting them in the fridge

Helps keep them much longer.

Abby

7 yrs ago

That is very sound advice Sandi

What ratio if water to apple cider do you use ??

PlanB

7 yrs ago

I do the same with the vinegar I just have it in a spray bottle and spray then cover with water and leave for about 5 > 10 min and then rinse again, I do this with ALL fruit, I don't always put in the fridge as mostly not enough room, the vinegar is cleansing

Abby

7 yrs ago

Thanks Plan B

Vivity8/7/2007

7 yrs ago

Sandi was it you who put this up on here years ago? I have done it ever since and berries last so much longer. I did an experiment at the time one carton vinegar solution washed drained and dried and the other not, both stored in fridge. Vinegar washed lasted for about 10 days others only about 3 before mould on them.

HOLA

7 yrs ago

Sandi - I've been doing this especially with Strawberries, we all know how quickly they go mouldy in the Summer time. I use a teaspoon white vinegar and 2 cups of water, soak for about 10 minutes, dry them off and wrap them in white paper towels, then store in fridge, they remain fresh for about 2 weeks. I wonder if anyone has success stopping Avocados from ripening too quickly, I'm sick of buying one and when I open it up the next day it has all black marks in it. They are quite expensive.

Sandi (SA)

7 yrs ago

Yes Viv, I put it up a long time ago in YLC It does work well.

Hola I do the same too. I also use the kitchen paper in a covered dish for sliced meat. I find it absorbs any moisture in the container and keeps the meat much fresher.

Also if I have excess celery I cut it into manageable pieces and wrap with kitchen paper and then tightly seal it with aluminium foil. Have kept it 6 weeks in the vegetable crisper.

The bottom of my vegetable crisper is always lined with a few sheets of Kitchen Paper. Makes it much easier to keep the crisper clean at the bottom.

I just change the paper every week.

This article is quite useful. I've read vinegar kills over 90% of bacteria and mould spores.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/255880-how-to-clean-fruits-vegetables-with-vinegar/

Sandi (SA)

7 yrs ago

I'm the same as you PlanB. I do keep grapes & berries in the fridge tho. Fruit with skins on are Ok in bowls on the counter top.

Abby It depends on how much water I'm using. Just put a goodly splash in. It's enough to kill any mould spores on the fruit.

I've kept strawberries for up to a week in the fridge.

Sophie

7 yrs ago

According to Dr Julie Albrecht, PhD, RD, Professor and Extension Food Specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.. and others..washing produce in vinegar does not extend the life of the fruit..since all fruits and vegetables have predictable shelf-lives.. and.. in order to optimize these shelf-lives it is important to cool the produce as quickly as possible after it is picked. The use of a vinegar treatment will not, in itself, extend the shelf-life of a fruit or vegetable that was not handled correctly after harvesting.

What will help greatly though.. is after washing and drying grapes and berries..place the fruit on a layer of paper towels in a container and put in the fridge..

I know this works because I have been doing it for years..

I use those charcoal infused plastic bags for storing broccoli, zucchini and others veg and fruit...they do work.

Mouldy food be a thing of the past

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