Researchers at Cardiff University have concluded that beeswax can be crucial for preserving food in Ukraine’s war zones. British scientists helped Ukrainian beekeepers to develop new wax packaging for perishable products amid Russian attacks.
In recent months, Russia has intensified its destruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing blackouts, which means that there may be problems with food preservation in some regions during the summer.
Ukraine is the largest producer of honey in Europe, so researchers from Cardiff analyzed how this could help Ukrainians.
“As everyone knows, food spoils very quickly if there are no ways to preserve it. Using a beeswax wrap, which can kill bacteria, turned out to be a natural way to solve this problem.” – said Professor Les Bale from Cardiff University.
The research team created different “recipes” for food storage wraps that could be available in war zones. Scientists were able to test different combinations to create some of the most effective ones. Professor Bale said that “a piece of cloth or even paper” is combined with beeswax and other natural antimicrobial plants such as sage to form the wraps. Beeswax is rubbed into fabric to help create food wraps.
Researchers from Kharkiv have supported their foreign colleagues and are urging people to collect beeswax to make food wrappers. Scientists of the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute are spreading information online in social networks, hoping that Ukrainians will be able to try this method.
“Kharkiv has seen fierce fighting in recent weeks. The situation in the conflict zones and near the front line is very difficult. People do not have electricity or there are very frequent power cuts. This has led to the spoilage of a large amount of food. The wax wrap will help a lot with this, it can be used for bread to keep it fresh, and for fruits and vegetables.” – notes Dr. Yulia Yudina from the National University “Pharmacy” of the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute.
Professor Beil and his team of microbiologists hope that their work with Ukraine will help others in war zones around the world to harness the natural antibiotic properties of honey, once used by civilizations such as Ancient Greece.
