UBC develops starch-based wash to remove pesticides and extend fruit freshness

UBC researchers have developed a natural, biodegradable wash made from starch-based particles capped with iron and tannic acid that can remove about 86–94% of surface pesticide residues from apples, and a light edible coating formed after washing that slows browning and moisture loss, keeping grapes fresh for up to 15 days at room temperature; the method could cost roughly three cents per apple for industrial use, with home-use versions and broader testing still to come and regulatory review required.