Influence of Ionizing Radiation on Biodegradable Foam Trays for Food Packaging Obtained from Irradiated Cassava Starch

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers, such as starch, cellulose, and derivatives thereof, are being studied to produce innovative packaging in the most diverse shapes (films, bags, trays, bottles, etc.) to attend this current market trend. The aim of this work was to produce foam trays from cassava starch for food packaging via extrusion followed by thermoforming process. Their formulations were based on unirradiated and γ-irradiated starches at diverse radiation absorbed doses (in kGy) in order to evaluate the influence of the irradiated starches on the physical properties of the trays. Water absorption results showed an irregular increase with the increase of the absorbed dose (for example, 26.32% and 39.84% for the trays based on unirradiated starch 0 kGy and 1:1 (w/w) mixture of starches 0 kGy and 100.0 kGy, respectively). Other physicochemical properties were evaluated from the starches utilized and the trays obtained. Aerobic biodegradation of the foams by mass loss also was checked in soil burial test.

Ionizing and nonionizing radiations can change physicochemical, technofunctional, and nutritional attributes of starch

“…Aerobic biodegradation time slightly increased for the samples containing irradiated starch, owing to small parcels of crosslinked polymer which slowed down their biodegradation. Brant et al, (2018) Corn Gamma 10, 20, 30, and 40 kGy Film Tensile strength, Water vapor permeability, and crystallinity Irradiation doses increased the tensile strength and decreased water vapor permeability. Taking energy consumption into consideration, the authors recommended 30 kGy as the optimal irradiation dose for corn starch.…”

Green Design of Novel Starch-Based Packaging Materials Sustaining Human and Environmental Health

“…Irradiation with ionizing radiation of the polymeric materials can lead to the formation of highly reactive intermediates, free radicals, ions, and excited states. These intermediates follow many rapid reaction pathways leading to disproportion, hydrogen absorption, adjustments and/or the formation of a new polymer chain bond, thus altering the final structure of the network structure [204]. Electron beam (EB) irradiation is a low-cost technology and environmentally friendly, without any cause or use of polluting agents, catalysts, or generation of undesirable wastes [205].…”

Feasibility of Irradiated Corn-Based Bioplastics as Packaging Material

“…Electron beam and gamma radiation were commonly used in industrial applications [37]. Ionizing radiation can lead to changes in the properties of polymers through cross-linking and also to the formation of free radical ions, excited states and many highly reactive intermediates [24,38]. Numerous studies have been conducted on exposure of ionizing radiation to either starch directly after bioplastic production or bioplastic production, followed by exposure to radiation.…”