Can Stickers Extend the Shelf Life of Fruit? IPB University Students Create Etifresh to Reduce Food Loss
Stickers are generally known as accessories. But what if there were stickers that could help preserve the freshness of fruit while reducing food loss?
This is the question answered by IPB University students participating in the Student Creativity Program (PKM) through Etifresh, a smart sticker innovation designed to help extend the shelf life of climacteric fruits such as bananas, mangoes, and avocados.
The student team leader, Fasya Novelia, explained that Etifresh combines three functions in one product: controlling ethylene gas, regulating humidity, and providing natural antifungal protection. This combination is intended to slow down the ripening process while maintaining the fruit’s condition during storage and distribution.
“We want to offer a simple and practical solution that can address several post harvest issues at once. Etifresh simply needs to be placed inside the packaging or storage container without direct contact with the fruit,” explained Fasya.
She further explained that Etifresh uses natural zeolite and silica from rice husks as its main materials. The zeolite, impregnated with potassium permanganate (KMnO₄), helps control ethylene gas, a hormone that accelerates fruit ripening.
“Meanwhile, rice husk silica helps control moisture, while betel leaf extract serves as a natural antifungal agent,” she added.
Another unique feature of Etifresh is its color indicator, which allows users to visually assess the sticker’s condition. While active, the indicator displays a specific color and changes color when the active ingredient reaches saturation.
“So, we can tell when the sticker needs to be replaced without having to estimate based solely on the duration of use,” explained Fasya.
Helping Reduce Food Loss
This innovation stems from the issue of food loss during the post harvest stage. Climacteric fruits have a relatively rapid ripening rate, making proper handling during storage and distribution crucial. Storage conditions with high humidity can also increase the risk of growth of microorganisms that cause spoilage.
“The challenge of the post harvest phase isn’t just about producing fruit, but also about maintaining its quality until it reaches the consumer. That’s why we’re trying to develop Etifresh as a user friendly post harvest technology that can be applied throughout the fruit distribution chain,” added Fasya. (*/Rz) (IAAS/LAN)
