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Aquilia S, Rosi L, Pinna M, Bianchi S, Giurlani W, Bonechi M, Ciardelli F, Papini AM, Bello C. Study of the Preparation and Properties of Chemically Modified Materials Based on Rapeseed Meal. Biomolecules 2024; 14:982. [PMID: 39199370 PMCID: PMC11352606 DOI: 10.3390/biom14080982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in developing novel materials based on natural biopolymers as a renewable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The availability of proteins derived from agricultural by-products, along with their favourable properties, has fostered a renewed interest in protein-based materials, promoting research in innovative technologies. In this study, we propose the use of rapeseed protein-rich meal as the main ingredient for the preparation of novel sustainable materials combining excellent environmental properties such as biodegradability and renewability. The application of sustainable products in the present high-tech society requires the modification of the basic native properties of these natural compounds. The original route proposed in this paper consists of preparation via the compression moulding of flexible biomaterials stabilized by crosslinkers/chain extenders. An investigation of the effects of different denaturing and disulfide bond reducing agents, crosslinkers, and preparation conditions on the material mechanical behaviour demonstrated that the novel materials have appreciable strength and stiffness. The results show the potential of utilizing full meal from vegetable by-products to prepare protein-based materials with guaranteed ecofriendly characteristics and mechanical properties adequate for specific structural applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Aquilia
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (S.A.); (C.B.)
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (L.R.); (W.G.); (M.B.)
- Spin-PET S.r.l., Viale R. Piaggio 32, I-56025 Pontedera, Italy; (M.P.); (S.B.)
| | - Luca Rosi
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (L.R.); (W.G.); (M.B.)
| | - Michele Pinna
- Spin-PET S.r.l., Viale R. Piaggio 32, I-56025 Pontedera, Italy; (M.P.); (S.B.)
| | - Sabrina Bianchi
- Spin-PET S.r.l., Viale R. Piaggio 32, I-56025 Pontedera, Italy; (M.P.); (S.B.)
| | - Walter Giurlani
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (L.R.); (W.G.); (M.B.)
| | - Marco Bonechi
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (L.R.); (W.G.); (M.B.)
| | - Francesco Ciardelli
- Spin-PET S.r.l., Viale R. Piaggio 32, I-56025 Pontedera, Italy; (M.P.); (S.B.)
| | - Anna Maria Papini
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (S.A.); (C.B.)
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (L.R.); (W.G.); (M.B.)
| | - Claudia Bello
- Interdepartmental Research Unit of Peptide and Protein Chemistry and Biology, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (S.A.); (C.B.)
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; (L.R.); (W.G.); (M.B.)
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Weal S, Shah S, Parker K, Vaidya A. Incorporation of canola meal as a sustainable natural filler in PLA foams. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2024; 11:57. [PMID: 38836876 PMCID: PMC11153467 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-024-00773-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The canola oil industry generates significant waste as canola meal (CM) which has limited scope and applications. This study demonstrates the possibility of valorization of CM as a sustainable natural filler in a biodegradable polymer composite of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Generally, interfacial bonding between natural fibers and the polymer matrix in the composite is weak and non-uniform. One possible solution is to derivatize natural fibre to introduce interfacial bond strength and compatibility with the PLA polymer matrix. Here, CM was succinylated in a reactive extrusion process using succinic anhydride at 30 wt% to get 14% derivatization with 0.02 g of -COOH density per g of CM. The CM or succinylated CM at 5 and 15 wt% was co-extruded with amorphous PLA to get composite fibers. CM-PLA and succinylated CM-PLA biocomposites were foamed using a mild and green microcellular foaming process, with CO2 as an impregnating agent without any addition of organic solvents. The properties of the foams were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), shrinkage, and imaging. The addition of CM or succinylated CM as a natural filler did not significantly change the glass transition temperature, melting point, percent crystallization, stiffness, and thermal stability of PLA foams. This suggests succinylation (modification) of CM is not a mandatory step for improving interphase compatibility with the amorphous PLA. The new PLA-CM foams can be a good alternative in the packaging industry replacing the existing petroleum-based polymer foams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Weal
- Scion, Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, 49 Sala Street, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
| | - Samir Shah
- Scion, Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, 49 Sala Street, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
- , 35-45 Bend Road, Keysborough, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Kate Parker
- Scion, Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, 49 Sala Street, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand
| | - Alankar Vaidya
- Scion, Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, 49 Sala Street, Rotorua, 3010, New Zealand.
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Direct evidence for the validity of assessing reaction extent by torque spectrum during reactive processing. POLYMER 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2020.122499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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