Sandra Pascoe, professor of chemical engineering at the University of Valle de Atemajac, has devised a new use for the cactus of the tuna - a staple food in the diet of the country - using its juice as a basis for the manufacture of biodegradable plastics.
A safe and sustainable alternative to plastic, safe for consumption and that takes a week to biodegrade in the water.
Image Source
Mexican researcher Sandra Pascoe Ortiz has developed a new form of biodegradable plastic made mainly of cactus juice. This alternative to conventional plastic takes about a month to biodegrade if left on the ground and only a week if soaked in water, and is safe for both human and animal consumption.
Ortiz produces the material, which can be of different colors, shapes, thickness and strength, with the juice of the cactus leaves, adding a "non-toxic formula" - she then laminates the liquid and lets it dry.
The BBC reports that Ortiz wants its product to replace some single-use plastics, such as cutlery and bags, as more countries reduce plastic consumption.
The production time to create the cactus-plastic is currently around 10 days, and Ortiz is still investigating which cactus leaves are the best to create the product, but keeps the plant alive so that it continues to grow more leaves.