Investigation topic 2: Producing and using ‘greener’ polymers
Both natural and synthetic polymers play an important role in everyday life. The cells in animals and plants are built of, and metabolise, natural polymers. Proteins and carbohydrates in our food are both polymers. Synthetic polymers are used for a myriad of purposes in everyday life but may present challenges in terms of the by-products resulting from their manufacture or breakdown, and their persistence in the environment. The sustainability of polymers can be considered in terms of whether these plastics can be avoided by using different products or activities, reduced through design, or replaced by different materials.
Questions that may be explored in this investigation include:
· How do animal proteins compare with non-animal proteins for different applications, such as meat substitutes and non-animal leather?
Animal proteins
Science of Meat: Proteins | Exploratorium. (2023). Exploratorium: The Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception. https://annex.exploratorium.edu/cooking/meat/INT-proteins.html
Important roles of animal protein in human nutrition and health
maggielberger. (2019, April). Important roles of animal protein in human nutrition and health - Animal Science. Animal Science. https://animalscience.tamu.edu/2019/04/01/important-roles-of-animal-protein-in-human-nutrition-and-health/
Non-animal proteins
CFANS University of Minnesota. (2021). The Plant Protein Innovation Center [YouTube Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbK8IhpAjo0
Meat substitutes, the Australian picture
Meat substitutes: current status, potential benefits, and remaining challenges challenges
Nezlek, J. B., & Forestell, C. A. (2022). Meat Substitutes: Current Status, Potential Benefits, and Remaining Challenges. Current Opinion in Food Science, 47, 100890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2022.100890
Lab-grown meat: It's growing legs locally
Lab-grown meat: It’s growing legs locally. (2023, April 29). Independent Australia. https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/lab-grown-meat-its-growing-legs-locally,17465
Woolworths pulls vegan meat product following discovery of prohibited substance
Magennis, M. (2023, March 22). Woolworths pulls vegan chicken nuggets from shelves over prohibited substance discovery. 7NEWS. https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/food/woolworths-pulls-vegan-meat-product-following-discovery-of-prohibited-substance--c-10116113
Non-animal leather
Plant Based Leather: Green Is the New Black
Vidya Vijayaraghavan. (2021, August 13). Plant Based Leather: Green Is the New Black When It Comes to Vegan Leather. Nomomente Institute; Nomomente Institute. https://www.nomomente.org/post/plant-based-leather
Leather. (2022, December). Collective Fashion Justice. Collective Fashion Justice. https://www.collectivefashionjustice.org/articles/leather-is-not-a-natural-or-sustainable-byproduct
A vegan view - What Is Vegan Leather Made Out Of? PU Leather Guide For 2023
What Is Vegan Leather Made Out Of? PU Leather Guide For 2023. (2022, October 5). Vegan Products. https://veganproducts.org/what-is-vegan-leather/
A sustainable food culture
TEDx Talks. (2018). It begins with every bite | Matthew Prescott | TEDxUCLA [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq2EzQLMLQ0
Ismail, B., Senaratne-Lenagala, L. S., Stube, A. E., & Brackenridge, A. (2020). Protein demand: review of plant and animal proteins used in alternative protein product development and production. 10(4), 53–63. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfaa040
