This is done by encasing them in a thin film of biodegradable material, such as a special plastic.

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In other words, this biodegradable polymer material, just a few atoms in size, can target and kill harmful microbes.

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It is biodegradable, safe enough to be used as food packaging, can be processed like existing thermoplastics into coloured or transparent material and can be manufactured from renewable resources such as maize and sugarcane.

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