Mexico City, Sep 18 (EFE).- Researchers at Mexico’s National Polytechnic Institute (IPN) have created edible flatware high in nutritional content, the university said Tuesday.
The cutlery is a new alternative that has nutrients like antioxidants; essential amino acids; vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 and E; sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and selenium; and monosaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, the IPN said in a statement.
Project scientists Adrian Quintero, Javier Villanueva, Guillermina Gonzalez and Victor Alcantar tested the product until they found the right formula and perfect texture.
To preserve the nutritional content of the food, they only used rice bran, water and natural ingredients to produce it.
For now, the scientists are only making spoons, which hold up well and stay intact with warm foods.
The scientists said they would add a type of edible gum to increase the spoons’ hardness.
The next step will be to create a special mold to use for the production of spoons and other utensils, the IPN said.
The researchers also said that another project goal was to create different products that will expand rice bran consumption.
The team is producing chips baked with corn flour and rice bran as a healthy snack with a high fiber and antioxidant content.