We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Starch/Pectin as Emerging Renewable Materials for Fabrication of Sustainable Bioplastics for Food Packaging Applications
AI summary Read the abstract
Not relevant to microplastics — this paper describes the development of biodegradable food packaging films made from plant-based starch, pectin, and chitosan, focused on replacing conventional plastics rather than studying their pollution.
Abstract Currently, due to serious environmental concerns of using non-biodegradable fossil fuel based plastics for food packaging application, the renewable bioplastic obtained from second generation biobased materials (biopolymers & plasticizers) could be an attractive alternative, but fulfilling the consumers demand is a challenging task. Here in this work, starch/pectin as matrix and chitosan co-biopolymers together with tartaric acid (TA)/citric acid (CA) as natural plasticizers were used to fabricate their bioplastics by condensation polymerization accompanied by intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. The FTIR analysis confirmed the successful formation of amide/ester bonds and non-covalent hydrogen bonding interactions, while the broad XRD bands indicated the amorphous nature of all the obtained bioplastics. Their swelling ratio ranged between (510–620 ± 50%) and the mass loss (44–76 ± 5%), which was susceptible to acid facilitated hydrolysis for 24 h incubation in water. The obtained tensile modulus was in the range (0.5 ± 0.1 to 7.5 ± 0.5 MPa), which was highest for starch/TA film (7.5 ± 0.5 MPa), attributed to the more plasticization effect in the CA based films. All the samples showed complete degradation (97 ± 2.5%), after 3 days dipping in soil and were ecofriendly by ecotoxicity assay. Therefore, these pure biobased bioplastics could be useful materials for the future food packing industry.
More Papers Like This
Research progress of biomass-based food packaging materials
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines biomass-based food packaging materials — including starch, cellulose, proteins, and chitosan — as renewable and biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-based packaging, discussing development strategies to address current shortcomings in environmental performance, food safety, and functional diversity in the context of growing global microplastic pollution from packaging.
From Fields to Films: Exploring Starch from Agriculture Raw Materials for Biopolymers in Sustainable Food Packaging
AI summary Read the abstract
This review explored how starch extracted from agricultural crops can be used to create biodegradable packaging films as alternatives to conventional plastics. The study surveys different starch sources and processing methods, highlighting the potential for plant-based biopolymers to reduce the food-packaging industry's heavy reliance on fossil fuel-derived plastics.
A Review on Biopolymer-Based Biodegradable Film for Food Packaging: Trends over the Last Decade and Future Research
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review explores biodegradable packaging made from natural materials like starch and proteins as alternatives to conventional plastics. Reducing plastic packaging is important because traditional plastics break down into microplastics that contaminate food and the environment.
Bio-based and Sustainable Food Packaging Technology: Relevance, Challenges and Prospects
AI summary Read the abstract
A review assessed bio-based and sustainable food packaging technologies, evaluating their relevance as replacements for conventional plastic packaging that generates microplastic pollution. The study identifies the most promising materials and the barriers to scaling up plastic-free food packaging.
Biodegradable Packaging : a Key to Environmental Sustainability
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper reviews biodegradable packaging alternatives to conventional plastics, arguing that plant-based materials can reduce microplastic pollution in oceans, soil, and food systems. The authors survey available materials and manufacturing methods as part of a broader case for environmental sustainability.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.