Trending Now - Innovative Fruit Wash Eliminates Pesticides and Boosts Freshness
WHO:
Phys.org - Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC), including senior author Dr. Tianxi Yang, an assistant professor in UBC’s faculty of land and food systems.
WHAT:
Interesting Engineering - The wash removed between 86 and 94 percent of pesticide residues from apples, with standard methods like tap water, baking soda, or plain starch removing far less than half.
UBC News - The coating formed by the wash showed antimicrobial effects, helping to inhibit harmful bacteria.
UBC News - The estimated cost to wash a medium apple in the solution remains at roughly three cents, comparable to current commercial coatings but with the added benefit of pesticide removal and extended shelf life.
Phys.org - A natural, biodegradable wash developed by UBC researchers removes up to 96% of pesticide residue from fruit and slows browning and moisture loss.
UBC News - The wash removes over 86% of surface pesticide residue from tested fruit, specifically apples and grapes.
UBC News - The wash can keep fresh-cut apples from browning and losing moisture for two days in the fridge and allows whole grapes to stay plump for 15 days at room temperature.
UBC News - The estimated cost to wash a medium apple in the solution is roughly three cents.
WHERE:
UBC News - The research was conducted at the University of British Columbia.
WHEN:
UBC News - The findings were published in the journal ACS Nano.
WHY:
UBC News - The motivation for developing the wash stemmed from concerns about pesticide residues, particularly for children who consume large amounts of fruit, as noted by Dr. Yang regarding her son’s love for blueberries.
UBC News - The wash aims to improve food safety and quality, addressing rising food prices and the nearly half of all fresh produce wasted worldwide each year.
HOW:
UBC News - The wash uses starch-based particles combined with iron and tannic acid, which create sticky, sponge-like structures that bind to pesticide molecules and pull them off the fruit surface.
UBC News - The wash uses tiny particles made from starch, capped in iron and tannic acid, which form sticky clusters that can grab onto pesticides and lift them off the fruit’s surface.
UBC News - After washing, fruit is dipped in the solution again to form a light edible, biodegradable layer that acts like a breathable second skin.
UBC News - The wash was tested by applying three commonly used pesticides to apples at typical concentrations of about 10 milligrams per litre.
(UPDATED April 14, 2026 17:23 UTC)
A new wash for apples has been shown to remove between 86 and 94 percent of pesticide residues, significantly outperforming standard methods like tap water and baking soda. This innovative solution, which combines starch-based particles with iron and tannic acid, not only cleans the fruit but also exhibits antimicrobial effects that help inhibit harmful bacteria. At an estimated cost of about three cents per medium apple, it offers a comparable price to current commercial coatings while providing the added benefits of pesticide removal and extended shelf life.
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(UPDATED April 14, 2026 05:43 UTC)
Researchers at the University of British Columbia, led by Dr. Tianxi Yang, have developed a natural, biodegradable wash that effectively removes up to 96% of pesticide residue from fruit while also slowing browning and moisture loss. This innovative solution can keep fresh-cut apples from browning for two days in the fridge and maintain the plumpness of whole grapes for up to 15 days at room temperature, all at an estimated cost of about three cents per medium apple. The wash, which utilizes tiny starch particles capped in iron and tannic acid to lift pesticides off fruit, was created with food safety in mind, particularly to protect children who consume large amounts of fruit.