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Three Senegalese students from Gaston Berge University succeeded, in its laboratory, in transforming Typha (an invasive aquatic plant) into biodegradable packaging.
Source: lactuacho.com
Typha grows abundantly in the Senegal River and causes some problems, especially for agriculture. Thanks to a six-step process, it is possible to industrialize the production of biodegradable plastic bags. Indeed, Typha contains cellulosic material. So there is no need to add chemicals.
This invention, which we hope will be patented, solves at least two problems. Indeed, biodegradable plastic bags will help protect the environment, while nondegradable plastics could be banned for ever. And since Typha is invasive, its exploitation will contribute in stopping its proliferation.
It must be emphasized that in Africa Science is not the preserve of men. Thus the necessity to encourage girls / women to work in scientific research so that they also contribute significantly to the industrialization of this continent.