scholarly journals Reactive Melt Mixing of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate)/Rice Husk Flour Composites with Purified Biosustainably Produced Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-co-3-Hydroxyvalerate)

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (13) ◽  
pp. 2152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Melendez-Rodriguez ◽  
Sergio Torres-Giner ◽  
Abdulaziz Aldureid ◽  
Luis Cabedo ◽  
Jose M. Lagaron
Keyword(s):  
Rice Husk ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Composite Films ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Green Composite ◽  
Melt Mixing ◽  
Rice Husk Flour ◽  
Contact Transparency ◽  
Reactive Melt ◽  
Effective Additive

Novel green composites based on commercial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) filled with 10 wt % rice husk flour (RHF) were melt-compounded in a mini-mixer unit using triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) as compatibilizer and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as initiator. Purified poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) produced by mixed bacterial cultures derived from fruit pulp waste was then incorporated into the green composite in contents in the 5–50 wt % range. Films for testing were obtained thereafter by thermo-compression and characterized. Results showed that the incorporation of up to 20 wt % of biowaste derived PHBV yielded green composite films with a high contact transparency, relatively low crystallinity, high thermal stability, improved mechanical ductility, and medium barrier performance to water vapor and aroma. This study puts forth the potential use of purified biosustainably produced PHBV as a cost-effective additive to develop more affordable and waste valorized food packaging articles.

scholarly journals Valorization of Linen Processing By-Products for the Development of Injection-Molded Green Composite Pieces of Polylactide with Improved Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ángel Agüero ◽  
Diego Lascano ◽  
David Garcia-Sanoguera ◽  
Octavio Fenollar ◽  
Sergio Torres-Giner
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Linseed Oil ◽  
Green Composites ◽  
Green Composite ◽  
Melt Mixing ◽  
Linum Usitatissimum L ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
By Products

This work reports the development and characterization of green composites based on polylactide (PLA) containing fillers and additives obtained from by-products or waste-streams from the linen processing industry. Flaxseed flour (FSF) was first produced by the mechanical milling of golden flaxseeds. The resultant FSF particles were melt-compounded at 30 wt% with PLA in a twin-screw extruder. Two multi-functionalized oils derived from linseed, namely epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) and maleinized linseed oil (MLO), were also incorporated during melt mixing at 2.5 and 5 parts per hundred resin (phr) of composite. The melt-compounded pellets were thereafter shaped into pieces by injection molding and characterized. Results showed that the addition of both multi-functionalized linseed oils successfully increased ductility, toughness, and thermal stability of the green composite pieces whereas water diffusion was reduced. The improvement achieved was related to both a plasticizing effect and, more interestingly, an enhancement of the interfacial adhesion between the biopolymer and the lignocellulosic particles by the reactive vegetable oils. The most optimal performance was attained for the MLO-containing green composite pieces, even at the lowest content, which was ascribed to the higher solubility of MLO with the PLA matrix. Therefore, the present study demonstrates the potential use of by-products or waste from flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) to obtain renewable raw materials of suitable quality to develop green composites with high performance for market applications such as rigid food packaging and food-contact disposable articles in the frame of the Circular Economy and Bioeconomy.

scholarly journals Preparation and Characterization of Polyethylene Biocomposites Reinforced by Rice Husk: Application as Potential Packaging Material

Chemistry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1344-1362
Author(s):  
Emi Govorcin Bajsic ◽  
Ana Persic ◽  
Tomislav Jemric ◽  
Josip Buhin ◽  
Dajana Kucic Grgic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rice Husk ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Packaging Material ◽  
Degree Of Crystallinity ◽  
Postharvest Quality ◽  
Melt Mixing ◽  
Vapour Permeability ◽  
Ldpe Film ◽  
Biocomposite Films

The development of biodegradable materials as food packaging material is important not only due to the reduction in environmental pollution but also because of an improvement in the functionality. Rice husk-reinforced biopolymers have offered a possible solution to waste-disposal problems associated with traditional petroleum-derived plastics. Rice husk-reinforced low density polyethylene (LDPE)-based biocomposites have been of great interest for their use as food packaging material. In this work, the LDPE/RH biocomposites with different rice husk (RH) content (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt. %) were prepared by the melt mixing process in a laboratory Brabender mixer. The effect of RH content on the physical, thermal and mechanical properties of LDPE was investigated. More importantly, this work aimed to research the biodegradation of the LDPE/RH biocomposites as well as their effect on ‘Granny Smith’ apples’ respiration. The results showed that the incorporation of RH into the LDPE decreased the thermal stability of LDPE, increased water vapour permeability and water absorption, and increased the degree of crystallinity. The incorporation of RH increased the biodegradability of LDPE as well as the postharvest quality of ‘Granny Smith’ apples. The addition of RH in LDPE film significantly decreased fruit respiration and increased firmness as compared to LDPE film. The composting results showed that after the LDPE/RH biocomposite films were biodegraded for 21 days, the biocomposite films with the highest content of rice husks were the most degraded.

scholarly journals Trends in Chitosan as a Primary Biopolymer for Functional Films and Coatings Manufacture for Food and Natural Products

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 767
Author(s):  
Elsa Díaz-Montes ◽  
Roberto Castro-Muñoz
Keyword(s):  
Food Packaging ◽  
Composite Films ◽  
Edible Films ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Food Preservation ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Biodegradable Packaging ◽  
Product Consumption ◽  
New Concepts ◽  
Processed Products

Some of the current challenges faced by the food industry deal with the natural ripening process and the short shelf-life of fresh and minimally processed products. The loss of vitamins and minerals, lipid oxidation, enzymatic browning, and growth of microorganisms have been the main issues for many years within the innovation and improvement of food packaging, which seeks to preserve and protect the product until its consumption. Most of the conventional packaging are petroleum-derived plastics, which after product consumption becomes a major concern due to environmental damage provoked by their difficult degradation. In this sense, many researchers have shown interest in edible films and coatings, which represent an environmentally friendly alternative for food packaging. To date, chitosan (CS) is among the most common materials in the formulation of these biodegradable packaging together with polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids. The good film-forming and biological properties (i.e., antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral) of CS have fostered its usage in food packaging. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to collect and discuss the latest development works (over the last five years) aimed at using CS in the manufacture of edible films and coatings for food preservation. Particular attention has been devoted to relevant findings in the field, together with the novel preparation protocols of such biodegradable packaging. Finally, recent trends in new concepts of composite films and coatings are also addressed.

scholarly journals Gasification and Power Generation Characteristics of Rice Husk, Sawdust, and Coconut Shell Using a Fixed-Bed Downdraft Gasifier

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 2027
Author(s):  
Md. Emdadul Hoque ◽  
Fazlur Rashid ◽  
Muhammad Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Rice Husk ◽  
Fixed Bed ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Coconut Shell ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Airflow Rate ◽  
Gas Generation ◽  
Biomass Feedstocks ◽  
Downdraft Gasifier ◽  
Synthetic Gas

Synthetic gas generated from the gasification of biomass feedstocks is one of the clean and sustainable energy sources. In this work, a fixed-bed downdraft gasifier was used to perform the gasification on a lab-scale of rice husk, sawdust, and coconut shell. The aim of this work is to find and compare the synthetic gas generation characteristics and prospects of sawdust and coconut shell with rice husk. A temperature range of 650–900 °C was used to conduct gasification of these three biomass feedstocks. The feed rate of rice husk, sawdust, and coconut shell was 3–5 kg/h, while the airflow rate was 2–3 m3/h. Experimental results show that the highest generated quantity of methane (vol.%) in synthetic gas was achieved by using coconut shell than sawdust and rice husk. It also shows that hydrogen production was higher in the gasification of coconut shell than sawdust and rice husk. In addition, emission generations in coconut shell gasification are lower than rice husk although emissions of rice husk gasification are even lower than fossil fuel. Rice husk, sawdust, and coconut shell are cost-effective biomass sources in Bangladesh. Therefore, the outcomes of this paper can be used to provide clean and economic energy sources for the near future.

Vitrimerization of Poly(butylene succinate) By Reactive Melt Mixing Using Zn(II) Epoxy-Vitrimer Chemistry

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Christos Panagiotopoulos ◽  
Dimitrios Korres ◽  
Stamatina Vouyiouka
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Network ◽  
Research Programme ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Diglycidyl Ether ◽  
Exchange Reactions ◽  
Melt Mixing ◽  
Vacuum Oven ◽  
Butylene Succinate ◽  
Polymer Backbone ◽  
Reactive Melt

Vitrimers constitute a new class of covalent adaptable networks (CANs), in which thermally stimulated associative exchange reactions allow the topological rearrangement of the dynamic network while keeping the number of bonds and the crosslink density constant. The current study proposed a solvent-free method to synthesize vitrimers by reactive melt mixing using a commercial biobased/biodegradable polyester, poly(butylene succinate), PBS. More specifically, a two-step process was followed; the first step involved reactive mixing of PBS with the crosslinker (diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, DGEBA) and the transesterification catalyst (Zinc(II) acetylacetonate hydrate, Zn(acac)2) in a twin-screw mini-compounder, in order to incorporate the epoxy groups in the polymer backbone. The second step (vitrimerization) comprised a crosslinking process of the homogenous mixtures in a vacuum oven at 170 °C, resulting in the formation of a dynamic crosslinked network with epoxy moieties serving as the crosslinkers. By tuning the crosslinker content (0–10% mol with respect to PBS repeating unit) and the Zinc(II) catalyst to crosslinker ratio (0 to 1), tailor-made vitrimers were prepared with high insolubility and improved melt strength. Moreover, PBS vitrimers could still be reprocessed by compression molding after the crosslinking, which enables the recycling process. This work was made possible by the “Basic Research Programme, NTUA, PEVE 2020 NTUA” [PEVE0050] of the National Technical University of Athens and is gratefully acknowledged.

Enhanced functional properties of biodegradable Polyvinyl alcohol /carboxymethyl cellulose (PVA/CMC) composite films reinforced with L-alanine surface modified CuO nanorods

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamanappagouda Amaregouda ◽  
Kantharaju Kamanna ◽  
Tilak Gasti ◽  
Vijay Kumbar
Keyword(s):  
Polyvinyl Alcohol ◽  
Carboxymethyl Cellulose ◽  
Food Packaging ◽  
Composite Films ◽  
Nanocomposite Films ◽  
Soil Burial ◽  
High Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Active Food Packaging ◽  
Surface Modified ◽  
Cuo Nanorods

Abstract Herein, we described novel biogenic preparation of the CuO nanorods and its surface modification with L-alanine amino acid accelerated by microwave irradiation. The effect of surface functionalized CuO nanorods on the polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethyl cellulose film physico-mechanical properties were investigated through various characterization techniques. The tensile strength was improved from 28.58 ± 0.73 MPa to 43.40 ± 0.93 MPa, UV shielding ability and barrier to the water vapors were highly enhanced when PVA/CMC matrices filled with 8 wt% of CuO-L-alanine. In addition, the prepared films exhibited acceptable overall migration limit and readily undergoes soil burial degradation. Nevertheless, CuO-L-alanine incorporated films showed potent antioxidant activity against DPPH radicals and had high antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Furthermore, the nanocomposite films showed negligible cytotoxic effect on HEK293 and Caco-2 cell lines. In these contexts, the developed nanocomposite films can be implementing as an active food packaging material.

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