Fennel Waste-Based Films Suitable for Protecting Cultivations

Abstract

Biodegradable, flexible, and moisture-resistant films were obtained by recycling fennel waste and adding to fennel homogenates the bean protein phaseolin that was modified or not modified by the enzyme transglutaminase. All films were analyzed for their morphology, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, and susceptibility to biodegradation under soil-like conditions. Our experiments showed that transglutaminase treatment of the phaseolin-containing fennel waste homogenates allowed us to obtain films comparable in their mechanical properties and water vapor permeability to the commercial films Ecoflex and Mater-Bi. Furthermore, biodegradability tests demonstrated that the presence of the enzyme in the film-casting sample significantly influences the integrity of such a product that lasts longer than films obtained either with fennel waste alone or with a mixture of fennel waste and phaseolin. These findings indicate the fennel-phaseolin film prepared in the presence of transglutaminase to be a promising candidate for a new environmentally friendly mulching bioplastic.

State of the Art in the Development and Properties of Protein-Based Films and Coatings and Their Applicability to Cellulose Based Products: An Extensive Review

“…Another interesting protein is phaseolin [255][256][257][258][259], a globular protein from Phaseulus Vulgaris L. and proteins purified from Vicia Ervilia. Many papers have been published recently using as crosslinking agent the enzyme transglutaminase, and as plasticizers glycerol or trehalose with or without different polysaccharides to obtain composite films.…”

Physicochemical properties of starch–CMC–nanoclay biodegradable films

“…Most of the researches are focused on substitution of the petro-based plastics by biodegradable materials with similar properties and low in cost [1][2][3]. Among the natural polymers, starch has been considered as one of the most promising candidates for this regard because of its attractive combination of price, abundance and thermoplastic behavior, in addition to biodegradability.…”

Physical properties of edible emulsified films based on carboxymethyl cellulose and oleic acid

“…Consumer demand for high quality and long shelf life products and the increased awareness of environmental issues are some of the reasons that have promoted the growing interest in developing edible films from biodegradable materials [1]. Biopolymers, including proteins, polysaccharides and lipids or their combinations, have been extensively studied to prepare edible coatings or films [1][2][3][4].…”