AÑO
2021
CATEGORÍA
Trabajo
OBJETIVOS
Salud y bienestar, Producción y consumo responsables
PAL. CLAVE
enzyme, wine, cheese, farming, invasive weeds
PAÍS
Russian Federation
CRÉDITOS
South Ural State University
LINK
https://www.springwise.com/sustainability-innovation/food-drink/wine-cheese-plants-bidens-pilosa
Bidens pilosa plant enzyme production
Researchers used an invasive weed in the production process of wine and cheese, reducing costs
Scientists from one of Russia’s largest universities have discovered a plant enzyme to replace the animal version often used in wine and cheese production. The enzyme is from a commonly found flowering weed called Bidens pilosa, a plant native to the Americas. The researchers from South Ural State University used fresh leaves from the plant to break down biological proteins. The process was faster than when animal enzymes were used, which is a promising result that could promise savings for multiple industries, both in time and money. Often used for its medicinal purposes, the Bidens pilosa plant is also highly invasive agriculturally. If demand is high, regions fighting the effects of the plant could reap unexpected financial rewards with the removal of the plant.