Dhaka, Oct. 3 -- Australian scientists have developed natural plastic films from food waste sugars that could replace petroleum-based packaging, offering compostable alternatives for food and agricultural uses.

The study led by Australia's Monash University (MON) highlights the potential of a new type of biodegradable plastic by converting food waste sugars into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) biopolymers, said a MON statement released Friday.

"This research demonstrates how food waste can be transformed into sustainable, compostable ultrathin films with tunable properties," said Edward Attenborough from the MON Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

By selecting different bacterial strains and blending their polymers, the rese...