How the biodegradability of wheat gluten-based agromaterial can be modulated by adding nanoclays

Biodegradation behavior of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) containing phenolic compounds in seawater in laboratory testing conditions

Biodegradation in marine medium of PHBV films with or without 5 % wt. of phenolic compounds (catechin, ferulic acid, and vanillin) was assessed at laboratory scale. Respirometric analyses and film disintegration kinetics were used to monitor the process over a period of 162 days. Structural changes in the films were analyzed throughout the exposure period using FESEM, DSC, Thermogravimetric analyses, XRD, and FTIR spectra. Respirometric tests showed complete biodegradation of all materials during the exposure period (the biodegradation half-time ranged between 63 and 79 days) but at different rates, depending on the phenolic compound incorporated. Ferulic acid and vanillin accelerate the PHBV biodegradation, whereas catechin delayed the process. Disintegration kinetics confirmed these results and showed that degradation occurred from the surface to the interior of the films. This was controlled by the degradation rate of the polymer amorphous phase and the formation of a biomass coating on the film surface. This is the result of the compounds generated by polymer degradation in combination with excretions from microorganisms. This coating has the potential to affect the enzyme diffusion to the polymer substrate. Moreover, the cohesion forces of the amorphous phase (reflected in its glass transition temperature) affected its degradation rate, while the slower degrading crystalline fragments were released, thus contributing to the disintegration process on the film's surface. Ferulic acid, with its hydrolytic effect, enhanced degradation, as did vanillin for its plasticizing and weakening effect in the amorphous phase of polymer matrix. In contrast, catechin with cross-linking effect hindered the progress of the material degradation, considerably slowing down the process rate.

Disposable Food Packaging and Serving Materials-Trends and Biodegradability

Food is an integral part of everyone’s life. Disposable food serving utensils and tableware are a very convenient solution, especially when the possibility of the use of traditional dishes and cutlery is limited (e.g., takeaway meals). As a result, a whole range of products is available on the market: plates, trays, spoons, forks, knives, cups, straws, and more. Both the form of the product (adapted to the distribution and sales system) as well as its ecological aspect (biodegradability and life cycle) should be of interest to producers and consumers, especially considering the clearly growing trend of “eco-awareness”. This is particularly important in the case of single-use products. The aim of the study was to present the current trends regarding disposable utensils intended for contact with food in the context of their biodegradability. This paper has summarized not only conventional polymers but also their modern alternatives gaining the attention of manufacturers and consumers of single-use products (SUPs).

Incorporating Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil and sodium bentonite nano-clay open a new perspective to use zein films as bioactive packaging materials

Active zein films with different levels of Zataria multiflora Boiss. essential oil were produced successfully. To enhance properties of this biopolymer for food packaging applications, sodium bentonite clay was used at two levels (2 and 4%). The results indicated that the addition of Z. multiflora Boiss. essential oil caused a reduction in tensile strength and Young's modulus and slight increase in the percent of elongation at break of the films. Maximum solubility in water and water vapor permeability was observed by incorporation of 10% Z. multiflora Boiss. essential oil in the zein matrix. Transmission electron microscopy micrographs of zein film were verified by the exfoliation of the layers of sodium bentonite clay in the zein matrix. Stronger films with lower water vapor permeability and water solubility were evident of good distribution of sodium bentonite clay in the zein matrix. According to the results, 2% sodium bentonite clay was selected for evaluation of nano active film properties. Water vapor permeability, UV light barrier, tensile strength, and Young's modulus values of active films were improved by incorporation of 2% sodium bentonite clay. The antibacterial activity of different contents of Z. multiflora Boiss. essential oil in vapor phase demonstrated that use of Z. multiflora Boiss. essential oil in the liquid phase was more effective than in vapor phase. The antibacterial zein-based films showed that active zein film with 5 and 10% Z. multiflora Boiss. essential oil had reductions of 1.68 log and 2.99 log, respectively, against Listeria monocytogenes and 1.39 and 3.07 log against Escherichia coli. Nano active zein film containing 10% Z. multiflora Boiss. essential oil and 2% sodium bentonite clay showed better antibacterial properties against L. monocytogenes (3.23 log) and E. coli (3.17 log).

Revalorization of sunflower stalks as novel sources of cellulose nanofibrils and nanocrystals and their effect on wheat gluten bionanocomposite properties

Novel gluten based bionanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) extracted from sunflower stalks by respectively a steam explosion treatment and a hydrolysis procedure, were prepared by casting/evaporation. The extracted cellulose nanomaterials, both CNC and CNF, were embedded in gluten matrix and their effect was investigated. Morphological investigations highlighted that gluten based bionanocomposites showed a homogenous morphology, the absence of visible cellulose nanoreinforcements, and the presence of holes for Gluten_CNF nanocomposites. Gluten_CNF showed a reduction of water vapour permeability coefficients but the values are higher respect to gluten reinforced with CNC. This behaviour could be related to the ability of CNC to increase the tortuous path of gas molecules. Moreover, the results from thermal, mechanical and barrier properties confirmed the strong interactions obtained between CNC and gluten matrix during the process. The study suggested the possibility to re-valorise agricultural wastes with potential applications as reinforcement in polymer matrix bionanocomposites.

Performance and environmental impact of biodegradable polymers as agricultural mulching films

In the aim of resolving environmental key issues such as irreversible soil pollution by non-biodegradable and non-recoverable polyethylene (PE) fragments, a full-scale field experiment was set up to evaluate the suitability of four biodegradable materials based on poly(butylene adipate-co-terephtalate) (PBAT) to be used as sustainable alternatives to PE for mulching application in vineyard. Initial ultimate tensile properties, functional properties during field ageing (water vapour permeability and radiometric properties), biodegradability and agronomical performance of the mulched vines (wood production and fruiting yield) were studied. In spite of their early loss of physical integrity that occurred only five months after vine planting, the four materials satisfied all the requested functional properties and led to agronomic performance as high as polyethylene. In the light of the obtained results, the mulching material lifespan was questioned in the case of long-term perennial crop such as grapevine. Taking into account their mulching efficiency and biodegradability, the four PBAT-based studied materials are proven to constitute suitable alternatives to the excessively resistant PE material.

Biodegradable herbicide delivery systems with slow diffusion in soil and UV protection properties

BACKGROUND

New herbicidal formulations were designed by combining wheat gluten (WG), two montmorillonites (MMTs) (unmodified and organically modified) and a model pesticide (ethofumesate), and their performances were assessed through an integrative study conducted in soil using an experimental methodology with data modelling.

RESULTS

All the WG formulations tested were effective in decreasing the apparent diffusivity of ethofumesate in soil in comparison with the non-formulated active substance. The slow-release effect was significantly more pronounced in the presence of the organically modified MMT, confirming the importance of sorption mechanisms to reduce ethofumesate diffusion. The bioassays undertaken on watercress to evaluate herbicidal antigerminating performances showed that all the WG formulations (with or without MMT) were more effective than both the commercial formulation and the non-formulated ethofumesate, whatever the concentration tested. To explain such results, it was proposed that WG formulations would enable ethofumesate to be more available and thus more effective in inhibiting seed germination, as they would be less prone to be leached by water transport due to watering and also less subject to photodegradation.

CONCLUSION

The use of pesticide formulations based on wheat gluten and nanoclays appeared to be a promising strategy both to reduce the mobility of pesticides in soil and to protect UV-photosensitive pesticides from photodegradation.

Controlling pesticide release via structuring agropolymer and nanoclays based materials

The potential use of nanoclays for modulating transfer properties of active agents in bio-sourced polymers was explored. For this purpose, new pesticide formulations were designed by combining wheat gluten, ethofumesate (model pesticide) and three montmorillonites (MMT) using a bi-vis extrusion process. Controlled release properties, evaluated through release experiments in water, were discussed in relation to the material formulations and their resulting structure. Partition coefficients were calculated from experimental data and diffusivity values were identified with a Fick's second law mechanistic model. The effect of temperature on release pattern was also evaluated and the activation energy of diffusion was determined. Ethofumesate release was slowed down for all wheat gluten based-formulations as compared to the commercial product. This slow release effect was increased in the presence of hydrophobic MMTs, due to a higher affinity for ethofumesate than for wheat gluten. Contrarily, hydrophilic MMT, displaying a greater affinity for wheat gluten than for ethofumesate seemed ineffective to slow down its release despite the tortuous pathway achieved through a well-exfoliated structure. To conclude, the release mechanisms would be rather governed by pesticide/MMT interactions than MMT/polymer matrix in the case of a hydrophobic pesticide such as ethofumesate and a hydrophilic matrix such as wheat gluten.