The research team of Ryota Teshima, a Master’s student from Tokyo University of Science and a Masason Foundation member, developed high functional hydrogels by introducing carbonated water into a mixture of low-methoxy pectin (primarily derived from food waste, such as apple and citrus fruits), and calcium carbonate solution. This study was published in ACS Omega on February 28, 2023.

The research was supported by the support grants (research support) provided to Foundation members by the Masason Foundation. This research contributes to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs), as the low-methoxy pectin was primarily derived from food waste. Future study is expected to contribute not only to medical applications but also to food problems and environmental issues.

■Tokyo University of Science Press Release (April 13, 2023)
https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/mediarelations/archive/20230412_1034.html