Poly(lactic acid) biocomposites with mango waste and organo‐montmorillonite for packaging

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer used in packaging, but its properties can be improved by manufacturing composite matrixes. The combination of PLA, starch, and nano‐montmorillonite leads to materials with superior mechanical properties. Mango lump is rich in cellulose and starch. The goal of this study is to develop and characterize biocomposites based on PLA, mango waste, and nano‐organo‐montmorillonite for packaging. The samples were microstructurally, morphologically, and mechanically characterized. Physical interaction between the phases was observed. The mango components displaced the PLA X‐ray diffraction peaks and the clays altered their intensity, by interfering with chain packing. The addition of single components to PLA increased the samples’ transition temperatures, but the addition of multiple components diminished them. PLA showed adhesiveness to cellulose fibers and nonadhesiveness to starch granules. Thicker samples presented better mechanical properties. PLA–mango–“chocolate clay” samples are relatively stable materials, while PLA–mango–“bofe clay” samples could represent promising highly biodegradable materials. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47512.

Biodegradable PLA based nanocomposites for packaging applications: The effects of organo‐modified bentonite concentration

“…The samples with Bofe and Chocolate clay were rough compared to the PLA sample 67 . No aggregates are observed, showing the organoclay's homogeneous dispersion, associated with the strong interactions between PLA chains' carbonyl functions and the organoclays 54 …”

“…Tapped. Bio Horn (transmitter), 1/2” Extension (probe/tip) for 3 min, intensity (50%), pulse On (1.0 s), pulse Off (5.0 s), pulse Temp (off) and left to gravity‐sediment for 24 h, when the supernatant (particles below 2 μm) was retrieved 52–55 . The water volume containing 2 μm‐sized clays was reduced to 1.5 L in a forced‐circulation HAUBER DMS‐G‐EG oven at 55°C for 24 h and lyophilized in an L101 device (LioTOP) 54 …”

Production of Biocomposite Packaging Materials From Fruit Juice Processing Wastes

“…are widely preferred in the packaging of food materials, owing largely to their (i) inertness, (ii) resistance to microorganisms, (iii) ability to act as a barrier to gases, (iv) ease of shaping/molding and their ability to retain shape for long periods, and (v) low cost. However, after completing their service life, plastic-based packages form significant amounts of waste that lead to environmental and economic problems (Mangaraj et al, 2009;Shin and Selke, 2014;Lima et al, 2018). Furthermore, the selection process for suitable packaging materials according to respiration rate and the quality characteristics of the food materials generally lead to the preparation of polymers with different matrices and many layered combinations of these, which in turn limits the recyclability of these materials.…”

Fruit waste valorization for biodegradable biocomposite applications: A review

“…Considerable waste is generated as tegument from the outer skin and the seed. Lima et al (2019) developed films combining PLA with mango seed fiber and/or the tegument. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) patterns of the composite displayed a shift in peaks due to the presence of starch and cellulose from the samples.…”

“…Interestingly, the presence of either the seed or tegument increased the tensile strength and Young's modulus over that of the neat PLA film. The increase in modulus was attributed to an anchoring surface generated between the cellulose fibers of the mango parts with PLA, which led to better stress transfer in the system (Lima et al 2019). Similarly, kiwifruit skin has been combined with PLA to produce a bio-spife, which is a biodegradable utensil combining a spoon and a knife.…”