Feasibility of Irradiated Corn-Based Bioplastics as Packaging Material

Abstract

There are increasing intrest in research on corn based bioplastic to replace current plastic. However, corn based bioplastic faces a major drawback which are lack water barrier and poor mechanical properties resulting from its hydophilic properties. To produce better corn based bioplastic properties, a lot of research has been focuses on blend corn based bioplastic with other co biopolymer or additives and also radiation. By using radiation corn based bioplastic will induce degradation, cross linking or grafting and next the properties of corn based bioplastic will be improve in aspect of mechanical, physical and barrier properties and also acceptable to use as packaging material. Irradiated corn based bioplastic also have wide range of technology, the availability, less harmful to environment and the most important is the potential to use as packaging material. There is hot debate about using irradiated corn based bioplastic as packaging material. This review paper will be discussing and also to provide information on influence of radiation on the properties corn based bioplastic and its feasibility as packaging material.

The Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on the Antimicrobial and Biodegradation of Cornstarch Bioplastic

“…Current developments lead to bioplastics containing active components that can protect food [1]. Cornstarch is a potential material for making bioplastics and can be applied as packaging [2]- [4]. However, bioplastics made from starch generally have several weaknesses, namely low strength, low thermal stability, and high water vapor transmission rates [5].…”

Elaboration and Charpy Test of Bioplastics Reinforced by Renewable Fibers: Starch /Diss

“…The world's consumption of plastic is currently estimated at 700 million tons annually, and according to the estimates of the United Nations team of experts, this consumption will reach the limits of one billion tons annually by the end of 2021, which will increase the concern for pollution, especially since 70 to 95% of this plastic is waste [1], Reduce the environmental burden with the high temperature in the North and South Poles and the outbreak of epidemics due to the intensive use of polymers derived from petrochemicals, which was accompanied by the shortage of oil, and the fact that environmental and ecosystem protection has become an urgent need, as many countries have adopted regulations to ban single-use plastic materials, which prompted to search for material alternatives for plastic products [2][3][4]. Bioplastics with a natural resource are considered a reliable and sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers, most notably starch and cellulose being the most popular product for the study and it is an environmentally friendly polymer extracted from a sustainable, non-toxic plant material that is widely available [3,[5][6][7]. Starch is a tasteless, fine white powder produced from several types of green plants and it is a complex carbohydrate organic compound [8], and it is one of nature's most promising polymers used in the production of biodegradable plastics, due to its biodegradability, tremendous abundance, and regeneration annual, its low cost [2,9], and it is widely used in human and other animal food and industry [8].…”

“…To overcome this defect, other mechanically strong polymers are added to the starch matrix, and plasticizers must also be added (plasticizer), which reduces the frictional forces between polymers to enhance the flexibility of the films [11]. To reduce brittleness, provide stability, and reduce starch recrystallization [7]. Among the most used plasticizers are polyols and glycerol compounds.…”