Leire Goñi Ciáurriz, a graduate in Chemistry from the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Navarra, has won the first prize for the best poster communication at the fourth edition of the International Congress on Supramolecular Chemistry(Cyclodextrin International Summer School), held at the Politecnico di Milano.

The project of Leire Goñi, a native of Orkoien (Navarra), deals with the manufacture of packaging for the food industry so that the surface of packaged food is protected from the growth of bacteria, yeasts and fungi.

"Food films are manufactured with a base of nanoparticles that incorporate preservatives. Both compounds are antimicrobial, so the aim is to obtain films that help to extend the expiration date of food," explains Leire Goñi.

The doctoral student from Navarra intends to continue this line of research in her doctoral thesis by studying the effectiveness of these films, the "degradation of the materials over time in different conditions of temperature, light and humidity", as well as biodegradable materials "based on starch and other vegetable fibers".

The study of this young researcher from Navarra can contribute to extend the "stability and durability of perishable foods" and therefore favor food safety through its packaging.

The Cyclodextrin International Summer School is held every three years and is attended by researchers from all over the world. In this fourth edition, held in Milan, 60 people participated in the congress and 25 posters were exhibited.