Optimized and scaled-up production of cellulose-reinforced biodegradable composite films made up of carrot processing waste

Author(s)

Otoni, Caio G. ^{[1, 2]} ; Lodi, Beatriz D. ^[2] ; Lorevice, Marcos V. ^[2] ; Leitao, Renato C. ^[3] ; Ferreira, Marcos D. ^[2] ; de Moura, Marcia R. ^[4] ; Mattoso, Luiz H. C. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Mat Engn, PPG CEM, Rod Washington Luis, Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Embrapa Instrumentat, LNNA, Rua 15 Novembro, 1452, BR-13560979 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Embrapa Trop Agroind, Rua Dra Sara Mesquita 2270, BR-60511110 Fortaleza, Ceara - Brazil

^[4] Sao Paulo State Univ, FEIS, Dept Chem & Phys, Ave Brasil 56, BR-15385000 Ilha Solteira, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS; v. 121, p. 66-72, OCT 1 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 5

Abstract

The ever-growing environmental concern arising from the unrestricted exploitation of fossil sources for the massive production of non-biodegradable materials encourages research on alternative renewable resources. We herein pave the route for the production of biodegradable biocomposites made up of carrot minimal processing waste (CMPW) by optimizing its combination with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and high-pressure microfluidized cellulose fibers, which played ligand and mechanical reinforcement roles, respectively. Ternary mixture designs established mathematical models aimed at structure-composition-property correlations, allowing their mechanical performances to be innovatively predicted without the need for further experiments. The optimized formulation comprised 33 wt.% CPMW and led to biodegradable biocomposites featuring ca. 30 MPa of tensile strength, ca. 3% elongation at break, and ca. 2 GPa of Young's modulus, properties which are suitable for food packaging applications. Finally, the film-forming protocol was successfully scaled-up through a continuous casting approach, allowing the production of 1.56 m(2) of biodegradable biocomposite in each hour. While scaling up did not affect film's barrier to moisture, it did impair its mechanical behavior. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/14366-7 - Fruit and vegetable purees/biopolymer-based edible films reinforced with miniaturized cellulose fibers
• Grantee: Caio Gomide Otoni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 14/23098-9 - Study and optimization of natural fiber-reinforced edible polymer biocomposites formulated with fruit and vegetable processing wastes
• Grantee: Caio Gomide Otoni
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)