Mai Linh Dinh

Mai Linh Dinh, a first-year Food Engineering student at Hanoi University of Science and Technology, was conducting innovative research on sustainable bio-hydrogel materials based on natural polymers derived from agricultural waste. Since 2022, she has focused on extracting microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from banana stems to develop a high-performance bio-hydrogel for fresh fruit preservation packaging. Her approach enables the production of MFC with hollow fibers and low crystallinity, facilitating the fabrication of hydrogel films characterised by high mechanical strength, superior vapor permeability, and effective humidity absorption-release behaviour.

Her innovation, BioGel Solus, is also designed to possess superior antibacterial properties by using a physical coupling agent. The flexibility of her technology can adjust products to specific fresh fruits. This solution not only addresses waste management, but also ensures extended shelf life and improved microbial safety for fresh produce, benefiting both producers and consumers. This research advances the development of sustainable preservation packaging materials, aligning with the principles of the circular economy.