Films Based on Thermoplastic Starch Blended with Pine Resin Derivatives for Food Packaging

Abstract

Completely biobased and biodegradable thermoplastic starch (TPS) based materials with a tunable performance were prepared for food packaging applications. Five blends were prepared by blending TPS with 10 wt%. of different pine resins derivatives: gum rosin (GR), disproportionated gum rosin (RD), maleic anhydride-modified gum rosin (CM), pentaerythritol ester of gum rosin (LF), and glycerol ester of gum rosin (UG). The materials were characterized in terms of thermo-mechanical behavior, surface wettability, color performance, water absorption, X-ray diffraction pattern, and disintegration under composting conditions. It was determined that pine resin derivatives increase the hydrophobicity of TPS and also increase the elastic component of TPS which stiffen the TPS structure. The water uptake study revealed that GR and LF were able to decrease the water absorption of TPS, while the rest of the resins kept the water uptake ability. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that GR, CM, and RD restrain the aging of TPS after 24 months of aging. Finally, all TPS-resin blends were disintegrated under composting conditions during the thermophilic incubation period (90 days). Because of the TPS-resin blend’s performance, the prepared materials are suitable for biodegradable rigid food packaging applications.

Iron Oxide Powder as Responsible for the Generation of Industrial Polypropylene Waste and as a Co-Catalyst for the Pyrolysis of Non-Additive Resins

“…With the aim of implementing techniques that allow industrially generated waste to be revalued, thermal and catalytic recording have been studied for the generation of excellent quality products that can be marketed [ 20 ]. However, it is necessary to understand how compounds such as iron oxide can affect the production of polypropylene, generating waste as well as how the autocatalytic thermal degradation of these wastes would affect pyrolysis [ 3 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. It is important to evaluate the presence of iron oxide in the synthesis and autocatalysis of polypropylene, since during the preventive and corrective maintenance of petrochemical plants that are dedicated to the synthesis, production, and commercialization of polypropylene, traces of FeO can be released by cleaning the internal walls of the reactors with high-pressure sand and washing with process water that favors the detachment of trace metals from carbon steel.…”

Active Films Based on Starch and Wheat Gluten (Triticum vulgare) for Shelf-Life Extension of Carrots

“…Food products are exposed to external conditions throughout the production chain, i.e., harvesting, post-processing, distribution, transportation, storage, and delivery to the final consumer [ 1 ]. In the last decade, food packaging has been developing new biodegradable active and smart materials that extend shelf life, maintain quality, safety, and integrity, and avoid microorganisms’ proliferation and food oxidative reactions by incorporating active substances [ 2 , 3 ]. Along with protecting food products from environmental conditions and mechanical forces, active packaging plays an active role in quality and food preservation during the distribution process [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Inclusión de las ODS y aplicación de la metodología de Trabajo en Equipo-Logro individual en la preparación de almidón termoplástico en el laboratorio de la asignatura “Materiales Ecoeficientes”

“…La industria de los materiales plásticos (productores de materias primas plásticas, transformadores de plásticos, recicladores de plásticos y fabricantes de maquinaria de procesado de plásticos) desempeña un papel fundamental para la economía de Europa ya que constituyen una cadena de valor que proporciona empleo a más de 1,5 millones de personas en Europa [1]. Existe cada vez una mayor preocupación por el medioambiente y es por ello que las empresas apuestan por el desarrollo de materiales plásticos ecoeficientes como pueden ser los polímeros biobasados, biodegradables y/o reciclables ( [2]). La producción mundial de plásticos incrementa cada año, alcanzando en el año 2019 una producción de 368 millones de toneladas [1].…”