Researchers at agricultural firm Agrindus in Brazil have discovered that the shelf-life of milk can be extended up to 15 days, by embedding silver nanoparticles in plastic bottles.
The shelf life of grade A pasteurised fresh whole milk could be doubled from the current seven days.
The company plans to introduce the product in the American and European markets once the testing phase is over in Brazil.
The US Food & Drug Administration has approved the marketing of the material for food packaging sector.
Researcher Luiz Pagotto Simoes told Mirror: "We already knew use of our antimicrobial and bactericidal material in rigid or flexible plastic food packaging improves conservation and extends shelf life.
"The result was that we more than doubled the product's shelf life solely by adding the material to the packaging, without mixing any additives with the milk.
"Doubling the shelf life of whole milk will lead to significant benefits in terms of transport, storage, quality and food safety."
The technology, which was brought from blueprint to reality by partner firm Nanox, requires coating the silica ceramic particles with silver nanoparticles and thus, effecting a synergy by strengthening the antimicrobial properties.
The powdery coated particles are mixed into liquid polyethylene that is transformed into bottles with blow and injection molding. Such powder can also be used in milk bags, increasing the shelf-life from four to 10 days.
Agrindus has claimed that the particles remain in the plastic and do not mix with the content.
Silver-based micro particles find their utility in plastic utensils, PVC film for wrapping food, toilet seats, shoe insoles, hair dryers, and paints, among others.
