Japan Researchers Turn Discarded Udon Into Biodegradable Paper

A university in Kagawa is transforming one of western Japan’s most famous foods into an unlikely new material by using discarded udon noodles to create biodegradable “paper,” Yusuke Nishikawa reported for Mainichi Japan.

The biodegradable paper is made from discarded udon noodles.

Researchers are using microorganisms to convert unwanted wheat noodles from local restaurants into thin sheets of cellulose with a texture similar to traditional Japanese washi paper in an initiative aimed at reducing food waste and creating new local products.

The project was developed by Prof. Naotaka Tanaka of Kagawa University’s Faculty of Agriculture, who established the technology by applying research on microorganisms and cellulose-producing bacteria, Kyodo News also reported.

Kagawa Prefecture is widely known for Sanuki udon, a regional noodle specialty that attracts visitors from across Japan. However, large quantities of noodles also go unsold or are discarded after losing flavor once boiled and left sitting too long.

“With large amounts of udon noodles being discarded in Kagawa Prefecture, I thought repurposing them could help reduce food waste,” Tanaka said.

“The process of converting discarded udon into sugar was relatively simple, so I decided to put the idea into practice.”