Influence of pinhão starch and natural extracts on the performance of thermoplastic cassava starch/PBAT extruded blown films as a technological approach for bio‐based packaging material

Abstract

Films were produced using the blown extrusion method from blends made with cassava and pinhão thermoplastic starch, compostable polyester (poly(butylene adipate co‐terephthalate, PBAT) and natural extracts (rosemary and green tea). The effect of the incorporation of the extracts and the type of starch added in the film properties were investigated following the mixture design (23) approach. Regression models and response surface curves were generated to predict the film properties. The effect of the cold storage (6 °C and 17% of humidity relative, for 60 days) on the film properties was also investigated in order to simulate future applications. All the properties were mainly influenced by the extract type. The incorporation of the extracts decreased the lightness parameter and the films produced with green tea extract were more opaque than those made with rosemary. Starch/rosemary blends were more flexible, while the extract type did not have a significant effect on tensile strength (TS). Film elongation (ELO) ranged from 520% to 719% and might be comparable to some synthetic polymers. The water vapor permeability was improved in approximately 14% with addition of the extracts. The storage conditions, on the one hand, increased the TS, elastic modulus, and opacity of films and, on the other hand, decreased the elongation parameter. The thermal stability of films was not modified by adding extracts or varying the starch type. The results demonstrated that pinhão/cassava/PBAT blends and the natural extracts are a good alternative matrix to produce packagings with adequate mechanical and barrier properties. Practical Application Extruded films produced from cassava or pinhão starch, poly(butylene adipate co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) and natural extracts show technological potential to be used as active packaging for food products. Pinhão starch is a great alternative substitute to cassava starch and the incorporation of the commercial compostable polymer (PBAT) is necessary in order to confer suitable mechanical properties to extrusion process. The extrusion blown method, a process widely used by plastic industries, allows the scale‐up of bio‐based packagings for industrial scale.

Feasibility of production starch/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) biodegradable materials with microalgal biomass by blown film extrusion

“…The fourth thermal event occurred at initial temperatures of 334.06–391.09°C and DTG peaks of 385.88–390.09°C, respectively (Figure 6b), related to the thermal degradation of PBAT molecules (Cardoso et al, 2017; Müller et al, 2020). Films containing microalgae cells had a higher residual mass after the last stage of thermal degradation, contributing to more organic matter content.…”

“…Studies of its mixture with biodegradable polyesters are a strategy to improve packaging materials' mechanical and barrier properties (Garcia et al, 2018). Thus, blends with poly(butylene adipate‐ co ‐terephthalate) (PBAT; Balan et al, 2021; Mücke et al, 2021; Müller et al, 2020), poly(lactic acid) (PLA) (Mangaraj et al, 2019), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (Javed et al, 2016), among others, have been studied.…”

“…Thus, blends with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT; Balan et al, 2021;Mücke et al, 2021;Müller et al, 2020), poly(lactic acid) (PLA) (Mangaraj et al, 2019), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (Javed et al, 2016), among others, have been studied.…”

Recent Advancements in Smart Biogenic Packaging: Reshaping the Future of the Food Packaging Industry

“…However, these bio molecules are prone to water transmission through films; their fragile nature and lack of mechanical stability have led to the concept of coupling with lipids or other biopolymers to counter these limitations [49]. Composite biofilms made with cassava, pinhão thermoplastic starch, compostable polyester poly butylene adipate co-terephthalate, green tea, and rosemary extracts helped improve water vapor permeability [50]. A progression in flexibility, water vapor resistance, and TS was perceived in a starch-based film reinforced with cellulose nanofibers [51].…”

Starch as a Matrix for Incorporation and Release of Bioactive Compounds: Fundamentals and Applications

“…Another natural extract with the potential to be incorporated into biopolymeric films is the Araucaria angustifolia extract, as demonstrated by Da Silva et al [78], which was incorporated into films based on cassava starch and poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate), also known as PBAT. Additionally, Muller et al [79] demonstrated that cassava starch could be replaced by A. angustifolia starch, which was extracted from its seeds. The authors also successfully incorporated rosemary and green tea aqueous extract in the films, and the extract directly influenced the physicochemical properties of the produced films.…”