Enhancing Cassava Starch Bioplastics with Vismia guianensis Alcoholic Extract: Characterization with Potential Applications

Author(s)

Santos, Josiel F. ; Silva, Crystian Willian C. ; Silva, Barbara P. G. ; Britto-Costa, Pedro H. ; Costa, Cleidilane S. ; Otubo, Larissa ; Carbonari, Artur W. ; Cabrera-Pasca, Gabriel A.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: POLYMERS; v. 17, n. 3, p. 19-pg., 2025-02-01.

Abstract

This work investigates the incorporation of Vismia guianensis alcoholic extract (EAVG) into cassava starch, with the aim of improving its bioplastic properties. Cassava starch was dissolved into distilled water and doped with 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0% EAVG under a temperature controlled at the gelatinization point (similar to 70 degrees C) and then cast to form bioplastics. The resulting samples were characterized via attenuated total reflectance/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR/FTIR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and mechanical essays, providing insights into chemical composition, thermal stability, crystallinity, surface morphology, and mechanical properties. The results demonstrated that EAVG played an effective role, enhancing the flexibility and stability of the bioplastic with potential use in biomedical applications. Moreover, the results also showed significant improvements in mechanical and thermal properties, suggesting that EAVG is a valuable addition to bioplastics. Therefore, EAVG presents a pathway for advancing bioplastics with enhanced mechanical, thermal, and functional characteristics, with the potential for further advancements in these fields. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/06712-9 - The peculiarities of reduction and doping of vanadium oxides probed by TDPAC spectroscopy at ISOLDE
• Grantee: Artur Wilson Carbonari
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• FAPESP's process: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 14/50279-4 - Brasil Research Centre for Gas Innovation
• Grantee: Julio Romano Meneghini
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research Centers in Engineering Program
• FAPESP's process: 17/50332-0 - Scientific, technological and infrastructure qualification in radiopharmaceuticals, radiation and entrepreneurship for health purposes (PDIp)
• Grantee: Marcelo Linardi
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - State Research Institutes Modernization Program