Development of biodegradable protein plastics by continuous casting

• Grant number: 18/10133-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Francys Kley Vieira Moreira
• Grantee: Matheus Nascimento Mattos
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The inappropriate disposal of non-biodegradable plastics has intensified the development of new materials from natural polymers. Proteins can be used to produce edible and biodegradable films. However, there still is the challenge of producing biodegradable protein films at large scale once such polymers have low thermomechanical stability and are therefore incompatible with conventional polymer processing methods such as extrusion. Hence, this proposal is aimed at developing biodegradable films based on proteins (gluten, albumin and casein) using the continuous casting method. The main objective is to describe the suitability of continuous casting for the scaled-up production of gluten, albumin and casein films with mechanical and barrier properties suitable for various applications. Rheological measurements will be performed on the protein solutions to delineate and optimize the processing conditions for film obtaining. Characterization techniques such as XRD, scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy will be used to analyze the structural characteristics of the films. In addition, the mechanical, water vapor barrier and optical of the films will be evaluated with basis on the type of protein, plasticizer content (glycerol) and relative humidity. Correlations between properties and microstructure of films and solution behavior and continuous casting conditions will be established. (AU)