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Preparation and Compatibilization of PBS/Whey Protein Isolate Based Blends
Maria-Beatrice Coltelli1,2, Laura Aliotta1,2, Vito Gigante1
1Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 26, 2020
Summary
Researchers explored biopolymeric blends of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and plasticized whey protein (PWP). Soy lecithin and modified whey improved blend compatibility and mechanical properties, enhancing PBS crystallinity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Whey protein (PWP), a byproduct of cheese manufacturing, offers potential as a biopolymer.
- Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) is a biodegradable polyester with film-forming capabilities.
- Direct blending of PWP and PBS results in poor mechanical properties due to low compatibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the production of PBS/PWP biopolymeric blends for films and sheets.
- To enhance the compatibility and mechanical properties of PBS/PWP blends.
- To evaluate the effect of compatibilizers on blend performance and PBS crystallinity.
Main Methods:
- Preparation and characterization of PBS/PWP blends with varying PWP content (30-50 wt.%).
- Investigation of soy lecithin and glycerol monostearate (GMS) as compatibilizers.
- Evaluation of whey protein modified via Schotten-Baumann reaction (oleate and laurate groups) as a compatibilizer.
- Mechanical property testing (elastic modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break).
- Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) for crystallinity analysis.
Main Results:
- Increasing PWP content in PBS/PWP blends decreased mechanical properties, attributed to poor compatibility.
- Soy lecithin and modified whey protein effectively compatibilized the PWP/PBS blend.
- Compatibilized blends showed significant improvements in elastic modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break.
- The effectiveness of modified whey depended on aliphatic chain length and modification degree.
- Compatibilizers enhanced PBS crystallinity, as confirmed by DSC.
Conclusions:
- Soy lecithin and modified whey protein are effective compatibilizers for PBS/PWP blends.
- Compatibilization significantly improves the mechanical performance of these biopolymeric films/sheets.
- The study demonstrates a viable route for utilizing whey protein in high-performance bioplastics.
- Further research into modification strategies can optimize biopolymer blend properties.
