Ensuring the microbiological safety of food products is a problem of current interest. The use of antimicrobial packaging materials is a way of solving the problem. When developing packaging materials, it is advisable to use a modern approach based on the creation of biodegradable materials. The difficulty in the selection of the polymer compositions’ components lies in solving the dilemma of the joint introduction and processing of antimicrobial and biodegradable agents. The studies of the ultrasound treatment on the melts of polymer mixtures showed an increase in the dispersion process of the components of the mixture. In this regard, this work aimed to study the effect of the ultrasonic treatment on the melts of polymer compositions containing thermoplastic starch and birch bark extract (BBE). In the work, the properties of PE-based packaging materials with various BBE concentrations obtained with ultrasonic treatment of melts on a laboratory extruder were studied. Biodegradable polymer compositions containing thermoplastic starch and BBE, obtained with the use of the ultrasonic treatment during extrusion, were investigated. The methods for studying rheological, physic-mechanical, antimicrobial properties and sanitary chemical indicators of materials were used in the article. It was found that ultrasonic treatment increases the melt flow and contributes to the production of materials with the uniform distribution of additives. The BBE content from 1.0% and higher in the contents of the material provides antimicrobial properties. When studying the permeability of oxygen and water vapor of the polymer compositions based on PE and BBE, it was found that the introduction of a filler increases vapor permeability by about 8–12% compared with control samples. The optimal concentration of BBE in polyethylene compositions containing thermoplastic starch was determined. The extension of the shelf life of the food product during storage in the developed material was established.
Particular attention is paid to biodegradable materials from the environmental point of view and antimicrobial materials that ensure the microbiological safety of packaged products. The aim of the work was to study the properties of the composition, based on biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and the antimicrobial additive—birch bark extract (BBE). Test samples of materials were obtained on the laboratory extruder by extrusion with ultrasonic treatment of the melt. The concentration of the antimicrobial additive in the polymer matrix was 1 wt %. A complex research was carried out to study the structural, physico–mechanical characteristics, antimicrobial properties and biodegradability of the modified PBAT. Comparative assessment of the physico–mechanical characteristics of samples based on PBAT showed that the strength and elongation at break indices slightly decrease when the ultrasonic treatment of the melt is introduced. It was found out, that the antimicrobial additive in the composition of the polymer matrix at the concentration of 1 wt % has a static effect on the development of microorganisms on the surface of the studied modified films. Studies of the biodegradability of modified PBAT by composting for 4 months have shown that the decomposition period of modified materials increased, compared to pure PBAT. The developed modified polymer material can be recommended as an alternative replacement for materials based on polyethylene for food packaging.
This study aimed at investigating the dependence of the ultrasonic (US) effects on the structure and properties of the polymer mixtures with different viscosity values. It should be noted that in the current study, polypropylene and high-pressure polyethylene of different brands were selected. The polymer composite materials (PCM) of various compositions treated with and without ultrasound were used. The formation dependence of the phase structures of polyolefin compositions on composition and viscosity of polymer systems was established. The regularity "structure-properties" of modified mixtures of polyolefins was determined. The influence of ultrasonic on the restoration process of the structure and the formation of new chemical bonds in polyolefin mixtures was discussed. The structure of the compositions of the polymer and technological conditions for their processing, which providing high physical and mechanical characteristics of PCM, were also proposed. The results indicated that to create compositions with high physical and mechanical characteristics, it is recommended to use a mixture of polyolefins containing 70% PE, modified by ultrasonic treatment.
Introduction. The article is devoted to the study of the influence of the "Polymateria" additive on the properties of polyethylene films and their biodegradability. The additive "Polymateria" is presented by the manufacturer as an additive that accelerates the process of biodegradation of polyolefin films. However, studies published in the literature have not previously been presented.Purpose. Therefore, the purpose of the work is to study polymer films containing the Polymater additive for their performance characteristics and evaluate film samples for biodegradability. In the work, polymer films based on polyethylene and the additive "Polymateria" were obtained by extrusion.Materials and Methods. The following research methods were used in the work: a method for determining water absorption, a method for determining resistance to chemical media, a method for artificial aging of polymeric materials under the influence of ultraviolet radiation and temperature, a uniaxial tensile test method, comprehensive studies of films for biodegradation by composting, determination of the sanitary and hygienic properties of experimental samples during exposure in simulation environmentsResults. In the course of the study, it was found that the physical and mechanical properties under the influence of UV irradiation do not change as intensively as compared with the deformation-strength characteristics of samples that were subjected to artificial aging at temperature. It has been established that within 28 hours of exposure to thermal-oxidative aging, polyethylene films are destroyed and lose their integrity. It has been established that within 28 hours of exposure to thermal-oxidative aging, polyethylene films are destroyed and lose their integrity.In the process of composting, the relative elongation at break of samples treated with UV decreases by 1.5-2 times compared to the values before composting. When composted for 7 months, the samples did not change their size, and their weight did not change either.Conclusion. Studies by the sanitary-chemical method made it possible to determine that in the environment of sodium chloride and distilled water after three weeks of exposure to polyethylene films containing the additive, a pungent odor is determined that exceeds the criterion of 2 points. Thus, such films cannot be used for food contact.
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