LSU Professor Research Helps Mardi Gras Be Green
With the environment and Mardi Gras at the top of our minds and our livers, Naohiro Kato, a professor at Louisiana State University has developed a process to create biodegradable beads. These beads could keep tens of thousands of pounds of plastic beads from harming the environment each year. The method involves growing and collecting microscopic algae called diatoms. The algae is then made into a powder that can form throw beads and doubloons. This powder bead will biodegrade in soil within one to two years.
The challenge? The high cost to manufacture the biodegradable bead. Kato projects the first batch of biodegradable beads will cost about $40,000 and will create 3,000 beads. The cost will be about $13 per necklace. He projects that the second batch could be produced for $1 or less per necklace. The method includes extracting an antioxidant called fucoxanthin, that is found naturally in seaweed and is shown to have natural anti-cancer properties. It’s a highly valuable product, costing about $50,000 per pound in powder form.
Kato is currently in discussion with a nutraceutical company and is awaiting a contract in order to being the production of biodegradable beads.
At Guarantee Restoration, we are all about a good party… but like everything in life being respectful and responsible has to be apart of the equation. We are excited to see the difference our hometown school and this talented professor is making to #realmardigrasproblems!
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