Cassava starch-processing residue utilization for packaging development
Cláudia Leites Luchese1, Raul Barth Rodrigues1, Isabel Cristina Tessaro1
1Laboratory of Packaging Technology and Membrane Development, LATEM, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Street Ramiro Barcellos, 2777 Anexo I, ZC: 90035-007 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|June 11, 2021
Summary
Utilizing gelatinized starch (GS), an agro-industrial residue, in bioplastic production reduces reliance on food-grade starches. This approach minimizes costs and competition with the food supply chain while creating innovative biomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biotechnology
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Starch-based films offer desirable properties like biodegradability and good gas barriers.
- Using food-grade starches for packaging conflicts with global food security needs.
- Agro-industrial starch residues present a viable alternative for biomaterial development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of using gelatinized starch (GS), a processing residue, as a substitute for cassava starch (CS) in bioplastic films.
- To assess the impact of GS incorporation on the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the resulting bioplastics.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of raw materials (CS and GS) including amylose content, moisture, composition, particle size, and thermal properties.
- Fabrication of bioplastic films via casting and drying processes.
- Evaluation of film properties: visual macroscopic and microscopic analysis, physicochemical, and mechanical testing.
Main Results:
- Bioplastic films exhibited continuous and homogeneous structures.
- Incorporation of GS led to reduced tensile strength (3.3 MPa to 1.2 MPa) and elastic modulus (52 MPa to 10 MPa).
- Elongation percentage showed less significant changes (160% to 212%).
Conclusions:
- Gelatinized starch (GS) shows significant potential for use in bioplastic production.
- Substituting cassava starch (CS) with GS is a promising strategy for developing sustainable biomaterials from agro-industrial waste.
- This approach mitigates food-packaging competition and adds value to industrial byproducts.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Production of Organic Acids
Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
01:27Bioplastics
Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
01:28Microbial Bioremediation of Plastics
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a synthetic polymer widely utilized in the packaging industry, particularly for bottles and containers. Due to its chemical stability and durability, PET accumulates in the environment, contributing significantly to plastic pollution. It comprises repeating units of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, resulting in a semi-crystalline structure that is resistant to natural degradation processes.A notable breakthrough in plastic biodegradation came with the...