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Updated: May 16, 2026

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
Published on: July 18, 2025
Development of biodegradable flexible films of starch and poly(lactic acid) plasticized with adipate or citrate
M A Shirai1, M V E Grossmann, S Mali
1Department of Food Science and Technology, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid (PR 445), km 380, PO Box 6001, CEP 86051-990, Londrina, Brazil. marianneshirai@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Biodegradable films were produced from blends contained a high amount of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) plasticized with different adipate or citrate esters. It was not possible to obtain pellets for the production of films using only glycerol as a plasticizer. The plasticization of the PLA with the esters and mixture stages added through extrusion was critical to achieve a blend capable of producing films by blow extrusion. Adipate esters were the most effective plasticizers because they interacted best with the PLA and yielded films with appropriate mechanical properties.
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