A study into how an edible plastic film can double fruit shelf life is being conducted by Brazilian agro-research company, Embrapa Tropical, website Revistagloborural.globo.com reported.

The idea is to develop an coating which will stick to the fruit's outside skin decreasing respiration and prolonging consumption time.

Research co-ordinator Henriette Azeredo said the challenge was to develop the performance of the plastic which has less elasticity and resistance to other plastics.

"The starch in the film has a good oxygen barrier, but not to moisture. So we are looking at combining it with carnauba palm wax, which has this quality," she was quoted as saying.

She predicted nanotechnology playing an increasingly important role in developing the latest type of cellulose.

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