PBAT/TPS‐nanowhiskers blends preparation and application as food packaging

Abstract

About 85–90% of the market for new materials in biodegradable packaging is served by various blends and composites containing starch in some portion. In an attempt to satisfy the increasing consumer demand, innovative materials are being developed. This includes the concept of active packaging, which, in addition to protecting, interacts with the packaged product. In this context, flexible films have been prepared from blends of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate), thermoplastic starch (TPS), and cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) at different concentrations (0–3.0 wt %) and with distinct compatibilizing agents (glycerol, stearic acid, and citric acid) by flat extrusion. Palm oil was packaged in the films, and was stored under accelerated oxidation conditions as a model system. The films were also used for packing lettuce. The TPS increased the rate of water vapor permeability of the blends. The micrographs showed the films with very porous surface as a function of the CNW concentration. In addition to the antimicrobial action pronounced within 10 days (fungi—molds and yeasts; bacteria—mesophilic and psychrotrophic), the film showed a prooxidant action, indicating its suitability for fruit and vegetable packaging. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47699.

Morphological, barrier, and mechanical properties of cassava starch films reinforced with cellulose and starch nanoparticles

“…Initially, cellulose was extracted from sisal fibers according to the procedure described by Silva et al . Acid hydrolysis was performed using sulfuric acid (64% w w −1 ) for both cellulose sources: sisal and commercial microcrystalline cellulose.…”

“…The morphologies of the nanoparticles were determined via Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) (Jeol, JEM‐1230, Iowa City, Iowa), according to the methodology proposed by Silva et al . One drop of an aqueous suspension (0.3% w v −1 ) containing the nanoparticles was deposited on a nickel grid (200 mesh).…”

“…Cellulose nanoparticles production can be achieved either by various preparation methods, among them: mechanical treatments, enzymatic techniques, and chemical processes . Among the various preparation methods for cellulose nanostructures, the chemical process of acid hydrolysis is widely used . This process removes the amorphous parts of cellulose, releasing simple and well‐defined crystals into a colloidal suspension.…”

Recent Advances in Bioplastics: Application and Biodegradation

“…While PBAT is of petrochemical origin, it is biodegradable, and it was found that the blends of TPS and PBAT also have improved mechanical and rheological properties [241]. In addition, when cellulose nanowhiskers (CNW) were included in PBAT/TPS blends, morphological and water barrier properties of the films were improved, and the films exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activities [242].…”

Development and application starch films: PBAT with additives for evaluating the shelf life of Tommy Atkins mango in the fresh‐cut state

“…It is also possible to observe the presence of micropores in the studied formulations (Figure (a,b)—40× magnification), and these formations can strongly interfere with the barrier properties and the mechanical behavior, and consequently, the stability of the packaged product. Recently, flexible films have been prepared from blends of PBAT, thermoplastic starch, and cellulose nanocrystals at different concentrations (0–3.0 wt %) and with distinct compatibilizing agents (glycerol, stearic acid, and citric acid) by flat extrusion . The micrographs obtained by the authors showed the films with very porous surface as a function of the nanocrystals concentration.…”