Can you make glitters from plants? Science says yes

Glitter is a popular material for making art and crafts. It comes in many colors and it shines, instantly brightening decorations and handicraft pieces.

In recent years, however, some environment activists have been campaigning for people to stop using glitter. Aside from containing toxic materials, it also contributes to microplastic pollution.

As a possible solution to this issue, researchers from the University of Cambridge have found a way to create eco-friendly glitter using plants, fruits, and vegetables.

"It is possible to make shiny particles using only molecules extracted from plants," said Benjamin Droguet, a research associate for bio-inspired photonics. "The trick lies in the structuration of the material at the nanoscale, to reflect specific colors when light shines on it."

Their glitter is made from cellulose nanocrystals, which can also shine and produce bright colors. Its characteristics are similar to butterfly wings and peacock feathers.

Cellulose is a sugar-based polymer, which makes the glitter sustainable and biodegradable and therefore better for the environment.

Production of non-toxic craft glitter consumes only a small amount of energy, but the process is currently slow. Researchers are still studying how it can be mass produced efficiently.

—MGP, GMA News