MIT develop revolutionary microneedle technology to extend produce shelf life
MIT develop revolutionary microneedle technology to extend produce shelf life, addressing the problem of food wasted globally. This innovation acts like a plant drug to reduce the amount of food wasted.
Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have unveiled a pioneering microneedle-based delivery system that dramatically extends the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables. The innovation, based on biodegradable silk microneedles loaded with melatonin, targets postharvest senescence—the natural aging process of plants—without the heavy reliance on refrigeration.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, more than 30% of all food produced globally is lost or wasted. Much of this occurs after harvest, especially in regions where cold storage is limited or nonexistent. The MIT-SMART breakthrough addresses this by leveraging melatonin—a naturally occurring plant hormone known to regulate stress and aging—to delay spoilage through precise, internal delivery.
Unlike surface sprays or coatings, this new technique injects melatonin directly into plant tissues using silk fibroin microneedles. These tiny, dissolvable structures are derived from silk protein, a biocompatible and biodegradable material already in use in medical applications. By penetrating the protective skin of fruits and vegetables without causing harm, the microneedles enable sustained release of melatonin, keeping produce fresh up to four days longer at room temperature and as much as ten days when refrigerated.
Food wasted plant drug
“This is the first time microneedle technology has been used for fresh-cut crops,” said Professor Benedetto Marelli, lead researcher at MIT. “It’s not just about prolonging freshness—it’s about making healthy food more accessible, especially in places where cold-chain logistics are difficult.”
MIT and SMART develop revolutionary microneedle technology to extend produce shelf life
The innovation opens new possibilities in sustainable agriculture and food security. It reduces the need for energy-intensive refrigeration, offers a passive preservation method, and could help stabilize food supply chains in developing nations. Moreover, the platform technology—originally tested for transdermal drug delivery—demonstrates silk’s versatility as a medium for both biomedical and agricultural applications.
Additional context on the research partnership behind the innovation is available at the SMART official website, which coordinates interdisciplinary projects between MIT and Singapore’s research ecosystem.
For a deeper scientific dive into melatonin’s role in plant senescence, readers may consult the ScienceDirect review on melatonin as a plant growth regulator, and further insights into microneedle technology can be explored via Bioengineer.org