We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Rice Bran-Based Bioplastics: Effects of Biopolymer Fractions on Their Mechanical, Functional and Microstructural Properties
Summary
This study developed bioplastics from rice bran — a by-product of rice milling — by extracting oil and fiber fractions and testing how different bran compositions affected the mechanical and structural properties of the resulting materials. Creating functional bioplastics from agricultural waste streams could help replace petroleum-based plastics that generate persistent microplastic pollution.
Rice bran is an underutilized by-product of rice production, containing proteins, lipids and carbohydrates (mainly starches). Proteins and starches have been previously used to produce rice bran-based bioplastics, providing a high-added-value by-product, while contributing to the development of biobased, biodegradable bioplastics. However, rice bran contains oil (18-22%), which can have a detrimental effect on bioplastic properties. Its extraction could be convenient, since rice bran oil is becoming increasingly attractive due to its variety of applications in the food, pharmacy and cosmetic industries. In this way, the aim of this work was to analyze the effect of the different components of rice bran on the final properties of the bioplastics. Rice bran refining was carried out by extracting the oil and fiber fractions, and the effects of these two procedures on the final properties were addressed with mechanical, functional and microstructural measures. Results revealed that defatted rice bran produced bioplastics with higher viscoelastic moduli and better tensile behavior while decreasing the water uptake capacity and the soluble matter loss of the samples. However, no significant improvements were observed for systems produced from fiber-free rice bran. The microstructures observed in the SEM micrographs matched the obtained results, supporting the conclusions drawn.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Nano/Micro Hybrid Bamboo Fibrous Preforms for Robust Biodegradable Fiber Reinforced Plastics
Researchers created strong, eco-friendly composite materials by combining nano- and micro-scale fibers from bamboo, producing a biodegradable plastic alternative with improved mechanical properties. This work contributes to developing sustainable materials that could replace conventional petroleum-based plastics and reduce microplastic generation.
Development of Eco-Friendly Silane-Treated Rice Flour/PBS Biocomposites with ENR-50 as a Compatibilizer: A Study on Phase Morphology, Properties and Biodegradation
Despite its title referencing biodegradable packaging, this paper studies the material properties of biocomposite films made from polybutylene succinate (PBS) and rice flour for use as food packaging — not microplastic pollution or health impacts. It examines how different filler amounts and compatibilizers affect mechanical and biodegradation properties and is only indirectly relevant to microplastics as an effort to replace conventional plastic packaging.
Performance Spectrum of Home-Compostable Biopolymer Fibers Compared to a Petrochemical Alternative
Researchers compared home-compostable biopolymer fibers to conventional petrochemical alternatives, evaluating their mechanical performance and degradability to assess whether biobased materials can serve as viable substitutes that reduce microplastic pollution.
Microplastics retrieval from commercial rice brands in india: Characterization, dietary exposure, and risk assessment
Researchers detected and characterized microplastics in commercial rice brands from India for the first time, finding contamination in a staple food consumed by hundreds of millions of people. Fiber and fragment morphotypes dominated, with polymer identification confirming synthetic plastic rather than processing artifacts.
Incarnation of bioplastics: recuperation of plastic pollution
This review explored bioplastics as eco-friendly alternatives to petroleum-based plastics, examining their production from agricultural and kitchen waste products and their potential for microbial decomposition to help reduce plastic pollution.