Algae (Latin for "seaweed")
are a very large and diverse group of eukaryotic organisms, ranging from
unicellular genera such as Chlorella and the diatoms to multicellular forms
such as the giant kelp, a large brown alga that may grow up to 50 meters in
length. Most are autotrophic and lack many of the distinct cell and tissue
types found in land plants such as stomata, xylem and phloem. The largest and
most complex marine algae are called seaweeds, while the most complex
freshwater forms are the Charophyta, a division of algae that includes
Spirogyra and the stoneworts.
Modern
youngsters may not know that in schools, students used to drink water from
cement water tanks through rusted iron pipes, lined up orderly. In some there would be no tumblers or
receptacles, one would open the tab / lift the nozzle, keep one’s
hand in a manner that falling water would find its way to the mouth…… perhaps
none would have imagined that water would be ‘crore industry – with
multi-brands’ ruling the market…life has changed since !!
Packaged water called ‘mineral water’ rose to become is a hot selling commodity – with
Multinationals and big Corporates having their own brands and another chunk
being garnered by local companies calling themselves ‘packaged water
providers’.
The packaged water that we get in
bottles / cans of various capacities…… are not even chemically treated water containing
any minerals ~ people are finicky, most cannot drink water in hotels,
restaurants and public places but buy mineral water bottles – some cannot
survive without specified brands. Apart from the
money in circulation in this business – this also generates loads of plastic
trash seen clogging everywhere and causing hazard ! In Mar 2014,
MailOnline posted an interesting article on whether ‘edible algae balloon’
could cut the plastic waste and cause the end of water bottle !!
To
solve the rising number of plastic bottles filling up landfills around the world,
a trio of designers created an alternative - a container made from an edible algae
balloon. Called Ooho, the spheres can be
produced in different sizes, hygienically protect the liquid inside, and cost
just 2 cents (less than a penny) each. The design was crowned one of 12 winners of the second
annual Lexus Design Award in 2014 and is
due to go on sale in Boston later.
Ooho, pictured, has a double gelatinous membrane created using
sodium alginate and calcium chloride. The spheres are created using
gelification - a technique used in cooking to turn liquids into gel - and its
creators said the final package is 'cheap, hygienic and biodegradable'. The inventors experimented with various
spherification techniques, using different ingredients and proportions, before
settling on the Ooho final ‘recipe’.
Packaging
labels can be added to the Ooho, between the two layers, without adhesive, and
are edible too, if they’re made from rice paper, for example. 'Liquid forms drops because the liquid exhibits
surface tension,’ said Ooho's creators Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez, Pierre Paslier
and Guillaume Couche, ‘Bounded completely or almost completely by free
surfaces.
‘Ooho replicates this behaviour, encircling
the water in an edible membrane of algae. It is a new way of packaging that
proposes an alternative to the plastic bottle.’ According to its manufacturers,
the final package is ‘simple, resistant,
hygienic, biodegradable and even edible.’
Around
50 billion water bottles are produced each year, and many end up in landfills. The Ooho could prove to be an alternative to these bottles in a bid to
reduce waste and the impact plastic production has on the environment.
Kathi (the Knife), directed
by Murugadoss had Vijay in dual role. In FB
& social media, people ridiculed the
role of the hero with degree in
hydrology from the arid village of Thanoothu in Tirunelveli district discovering groundwater under some lands of
the village which could be used as an irrigation source. The story was about MNC
cheating the villagers in to selling their lands and the hero fights for
the cause. People criticized Vijay for
appearing in Coke advertisements but opposing a similar thing on scene – one
should actually appreciate for trying to do something, even if it on surreal
silver screen.
With
regards – S. Sampathkumar
4th
Mar 2015.
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