Post by Scott Britton

🍺 Pot Ale Gets a New STILL-ution Exciting open-access research from Foster et al. in the Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC)! This study reveals how whiskey distillery pot #ale — a significant #waste management challenge (437.6 million liters annually!)—can be transformed into biodegradable #polymer films. Key Findings: ✓ Significant compositional variability between #distilleries (protein: 0.61–4.84%) ✓ FTIR analysis confirms chemical distinctions driven by #mashing and #distillation processes ✓ Biopolymer films degrade completely in soil within 4 weeks ✓ Superior elongation properties (281%) vs. comparable starch-protein systems ✓ Ideal for #sustainable #agricultural mulch applications The Impact: This research truly GELS with circular economy principles! By #MASH-ing sustainable #science with industrial practice, the team demonstrates how a high-volume by-product becomes high-value material. Results are #MULCH better than expected—complete degradation while meeting industry #composting timelines. No need to #FERMENT about waste disposal anymore! Open-access article: https://lnkd.in/g7w2VuBd #BrewingScience #Biopolymers #WasteValorization #CircularEconomy #SustainableMaterials #Sustainability #Science #openaccess Stephen Foster