Papers by Keyword: Starch

Abstract: Bioplastics or biopolymers are being developed as an alternative to tackle the problem of polymer waste, which causes pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Cellulose derived from corn cobs can be a biopolymer alternative to synthetic polymers. Cellulose derived from corn cobs can replace conventional petroleum-based polymers as an alternative plastic material. Incorporating ZnO into the biopolymer matrix is projected to result in favourable characteristics and allow for a wider range of applications. This study aims to investigate the changes in the characteristics of bioplastics derived from corn cob waste and starch upon the incorporation of ZnO, with a special emphasis on mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. FTIR analysis shows that the incorporation of ZnO exhibited no impact on the structure of the bioplastic. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that the ZnO microparticles' morphology is irregular and rough. The average size of ZnO particles incorporated into the biopolymer matrix was 0.623 μm. Mechanical tests showed a positive correlation between the amount of ZnO and the tensile strength of bioplastics. The assessment of the electrical conductivity of the Bioplastic/ZnO composite indicates a notable enhancement with the inclusion of ZnO. Electrical conductivity shows a progressive increase from 2.13x10^-15 S/m to 3.23x10^-12 S/m, 7.42x10^-11 S/m, and 2.03x10^-10 S/m with the incorporation of ZnO as much as 0.03, 0.06, and 0.09 g, respectively. Generally, incorporating ZnO into bioplastics can enhance their tensile strength and electrical conductivity.

Abstract: The use of biodegradable materials from renewable natural resources helps to reduce the percentage of plastic waste. In this study, we used banana peel starch (Musa Paradisiaca L.) and shrimp shell chitosan as the basic material for bioplastic by adding glycerol. In this process, additives in the form of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) are also used. to increase the biodegradability level of the bioplastic. The composition of chitosan and glycerol used were 1 gr and 1%, respectively. Starch variations were 1, 2, and 3 grams, while CMC were 0.5, 1, and 1.5 grams. The results of this study, namely the Optical Microscope test showed that the bioplastic structure still contained pinholes (air bubbles), indentations, and non-homogeneous starch. In the tensile test conducted on samples G and C, the average tensile strength was 0.01063 MPa, the average elongation was 2.65% and the average Young's modulus was 2.159 MPa. The results of the Biodegradation Test showed that variations in the addition of CMC composition to bioplastics significantly affect the percent degradation value, where the greater the CMC composition, the higher the percent degradation value.

Abstract: Starch-based blend membranes is widely us in many application due to their biodegradability and low cost. Starch/Polyvinyl Alcohol/Eggsheell (Starch/PVA/EG) membranes were prepared with turmeric extract as a pH-responsive agent. Turmeric extract has good antioxidant activity and could act as a biosensor that changes color in different pH conditions. This research aims to study the effect of eggshells amount in the blend membranes on its thermal and pH-responsive properties. Starch/PVA/EG sheet was prepared by slip casting method. For pH responsiveness, the sheets were immersed into turmeric extract with 0,5 mg/mL in concentration for 24 hours and dried. Turmeric extract was analyzed using a spectrophotometer UV Visible to observe its response to pH and antioxidant activity. A pH-responsive sheet then analyzed the functional groups, thermal character, and the sheet's response in various pH conditions. A spectrophotometer UV Visible analysis shows that turmeric extract has shifted optimum peak in different pH conditions. An IC50 value of turmeric extract was 14.802 mg/L. Functional groups analysis showed that increasing eggshell addition had shifted peak of carbonyl groups at 1737 cm^-1 to 1627 cm^-1. Presence of CO₃^2- in Starch/PVA/EG sheets were confirmed by peak at 889.18 cm^-1. A DSC analysis results the highest thermal stability was obtained by 50% EG. All the starch/PVA/EG sheets gave response to pH change.

Abstract: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were incorporated onto ramie fabrics via sonochemical application method to enhance its UV-visible light attenuation. Ramie fabric is very thin and does not shield the wearer of ramie clothing from direct sunlight. Applying both in-situ and ex-situ treatment methods via using bath sonication, the nanoparticles were applied onto plain ramie and starched ramie fabric. X-ray Diffraction showed that the nanoparticles present on the fabric have the wurtzite structure of ZnO. The average crystallite size of the ZnO were estimated to be 12–14 nm. Scanning Electron Microscopy images showed that these crystallites aggregated to a size of 160–740 nm. For the light attenuation tests, a mercury light source was passed through the ramie fabric samples, and the UV-Vis spectra of transmitted light is recorded. Results revealed that starching does not affect the UV-Vis attenuation of plain ramie fabric. Unstarched in-situ treated samples exhibited the highest UV-Vis attenuation even at the end of the 21st wash cycle. The starched ex-situ treated samples consistently had the least UV-Vis attenuation compared to all the other treated samples. Furthermore, the unstarched in-situ treated samples had better wash durability over both the unstarched ex-situ treated samples and the starched in-situ treated samples. Based on the results, it is concluded that the best method to produce a UV-visible light attenuating ramie fabric with zinc oxide nanoparticles and retain this light attenuating property even after multiple washing is to apply the zinc oxide nanoparticles on unstarched ramie fabric via in-situ treatment method.

Abstract: The following article represents the research on the elaboration of biodegradable films for environmentally friendly packaging based on polyvinyl alcohol, corn starch, glycerin, and borax. Growing consumption of packaging results in greater waste; the biggest part of which comprises problematic plastic packaging that is difficult and expensive to recycle. The majority of biodegradable packaging materials have insufficient technological characteristics. It is due to that the development of composite compositions based on inexpensive raw materials is a necessary condition to extend the range of high-quality safe packaging capable of minimizing environmental impact. The objective of the study is to obtain film materials based on polyvinyl alcohol, corn starch, and glycerin with the addition of sodium tetraborate and to study its mechanical and surface properties. The compositions for the film samples are prepared by an aqueous solution of Polyviol 6 04/140 polyvinyl alcohol to which water-soluble corn starch is added. The mixture is gelatinized, cooled, and glycerin and borax are added under stirring. Films are obtained by casting onto a glass substrate. The films obtained are almost transparent to the sight, soft and flexible by touch, showing good stretchability. The values of tensile strength for the films containing polyvinyl alcohol-starch, as measured by a dynamometer on a universal testing machine, are 1.5-1.7 times higher than that of samples without starch. The values for elongation at break of the films tested fall between 280 and 425%. Surface property testing of the obtained films is performed with an instrument for the determination of the wetting contact angle. Distilled water and ethylene glycol are used as test liquids for wetting. Wetting kinetics analysis of the films by water and ethylene glycol shows the possibility to make high-quality marking with necessary consumer information on them. Biodegradable films with a polyvinyl alcohol-starch mass ratio of 5:2 exhibit the best mechanical and surface properties. From a performance point of view, PVA, starch, and borax-containing films could be used as biodegradable packaging.

Abstract: Tea dregs are usually discarded and increase the landfill problem, even though it still contains some fibers that might be used as an alternative fiber source for biodegradable packaging bowl (BPB) production. A novel BPB from tea dregs reinforced with starch and poly (lactic acid) (PLA) was produced in this study by subjecting the mixture to a compression molding with a bowl shape. Tea dregs, starch, and PLA in the ratio of 50:30:20 resulted in the best appearance and highest value of the mechanical properties. Properties improvements with plasticizers, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and PLA coating were performed sequentially in the best product ratio, significantly affecting appearance, mechanical, and water absorption properties. Adding sorbitol 5pph, MCC 3pph, and coating with 6% PLA solution improved the product's properties most effectively. These improvements resulted in the best appearance, higher compressive strength, higher hardness value, and lower water absorption. This study concluded that tea dregs could be used as an alternative fiber source in the production of BPB. The addition of plasticizer, MCC, and PLA coating at the optimum concentration can be conducted for the properties improvement of BPB.

Abstract: Cherry tomatoes have many health benefits and have high economic value. However, cherry tomatoes are perishable and short lived. To protect and maintain the quality of cherry tomatoes, you can apply an edible coating. The materials used in this study were jackfruit seed starch, alginate, and ZnO nanoparticles. This study aims to determine the effect of edible coating on jackfruit seed starch and alginate incorporating ZnO nanoparticles applied to cherry tomatoes in terms of antibacterial activity and shelf life. Variations in the treatment in this study were edible coating materials for jackfruit seed starch and alginate, and the concentration of ZnO nanoparticles (0%; 5%; 10%; 15%). Antibacterial activity was analyzed against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. The results showed that the edible coating of jackfruit seed starch with 10% and 15% ZnO nanoparticles incorporation was able to form an inhibition zone against E. coli bacteria, while the 5%, 10%, and 15% ZnO nanoparticle variations were able to form an inhibition zone against S bacteria. aureus. In edible coating alginate with 15% ZnO nanoparticles incorporation was able to form an inhibition zone against E. coli bacteria, whereas in all variations of ZnO nanoparticles it was able to form an inhibition zone against S. aureus bacteria. The addition of ZnO nanoparticles proved the formation of a larger bacterial inhibition zone compared to edible coatings without ZnO nanoparticles. The results also showed that cherry tomatoes coated with an edible coating of jackfruit seed starch and alginate with a variation of ZnO nanoparticles had a longer shelf life compared to cherry tomatoes that were not coated with an edible coating.

Abstract: The increased use of plastics has become a major environmental problem, especially during this pandemic. Plastics have generated many problems, particularly waste disposal, which made the researchers aimed to develop biodegradable plastic through fruit waste material, avocado seeds. From a total of 3 kilograms of the avocado seed, starch was extracted through the traditional starch extraction method. There were three groups with the same ingredients but differing in their concentration; the relationship between the proportion of the ingredients and their respective differences was seen by using ANOVA and Post hoc tests. The samples have undergone a tensile strength test following ASTM D882. From the results, the best experimental group was the group with 40 grams of starch, 20 grams of polyvinyl alcohol, and 10 grams of used cooking oil; however, it is different from the biodegradable plastic bags used as the control group. It could be deduced that it is possible to make biodegradable plastic out of Avocado seed starch that is biodegradable, water-soluble, and non-toxic. However, further analysis may be conducted to provide physical features as commercial plastics.

Abstract: This study is devoted to clay modification with a corn starch biopolymer. Authors given the assessment of three different starch thermal modifications (cold, hot and combined), as well as their effect on the clay composite. Described the principle of starch thermal modification and its structural transformations during heat treatment. Incorporation of the gelated starch into clay body contributes to the strength increasing of the clay composite up 18% to 126% for gelatinized and retrograded starch, respectively. Due to its covering properties, the gelled and retrograded starch hydrogel integrates well into the structure of the clay composite and has a positive effect on both its mechanical and physical properties. Also, the obtained clay composite is ecological due to its natural components.

Abstract: The application of short-term packaging plastics that are biodegradable and possess the same or even greater mechanical properties as regular synthetic plastics is on the rise. These plastics, when disposed, are acted upon by microorganisms that are present naturally in soil and primarily release water and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In this study bioplastics was created using banana peel starch and LDPE coupled with plasticizers such as palm oil and glycerol, mechanical properties of the newly created bioplastic were studied. Furthermore, the characterization of the starch particles derived from renewable source were carried out using EDX and SEM. The biodegradation studies using glycerol as a plasticizer showed that 95%-LDPE breakdown occurred by 4.27% after 7 days, 17.7% after 14 days, and finally 25.77% after 28 days. However, when Palm Oil was used as a plasticizer, 95% -LDPE degradation occurred at 1.16% after 7 days, 2.57% after 14 days, and 5.15% after 28 days. This indicated that glycerol-plasticized LDPE-Starch sheets degraded at a quicker pace than palm oil-plasticized LDPE-Starch sheets. Finally, this study revealed that glycerol-plasticized LDPE-Starch sheets have better physiochemical properties (compressive and tensile stress) than palm oil-plasticized LDPE-Starch sheets. Keywords: Biodegradable; Plastic Sheet; Polyethylene (LDPE); Banana; Starch;