Study on Biodegradable Materials From Thermoplastic Starch With the Addition of Nuts Shell

Abstract

The paper presents the results of research on film biocomposites made of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and various types of nut shells. The research involved the use of thermally treated nut shells: hazelnuts, pistachios, walnuts and peanuts. TPS biocomposites were produced by the pour method using non-adherent moulds. The obtained samples were used to test the basic physical properties used in testing biodegradable materials. The following parameters were determined: mechanical strength, colour and colour difference, water contact angle, moisture absorption from water and atmospheric air. Images of biocomposite fractures were also taken using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the addition of nut shells enabled the production of homogeneous materials and contributed to the improvement of their strength parameters. The research showed that nut shells can be a prospective raw material for the production of innovative biodegradable materials.

The Bran and Grain Grinding Level Affect the Tensile Characteristics of Bioplastics Derived from Wholegrain Wheat Flours

“…In general, the negative effect of defects due to the presence of bran fiber is much less evident for composites based on wholegrain F flours; this may be motivated by the smaller size of the bran particles, which are better dispersed and connected to the biopolymer matrix which covers them uniformly [6,12]. In general, the mechanical properties of these thermoplastic materials are satisfactory when compared to other biocomposites based on plasticized starch, in consideration of the economic and eco-sustainability advantages of wholegrain flours compared to refined starch [42]. Although the obtained values of s and e are in line with the expectations (as reported in our previous studies on mechanical performance of refined flours' and bran's role in improving tensile strength), comparison with more expensive and performing biocomposites based on neat synthetic polymers, as in the case of PLA, cannot be directly carried out [43].…”

A Pilot Study on Industry Stakeholders’ Views towards Revalorization of Surplus Material from the Fruit and Vegetable Sector as a Way to Reduce Food Waste

“…This is a relatively new process, but research indicates it could be a lucrative one with the generation of value-added biobased food and feed ingredients [20,21]. Studies have also shown that waste material, such as the shells of nuts [22] or onion peels [23], can be used in the production of bio composite films with improved mechanical properties. Numerous studies have been conducted focusing on the extraction of bioactive compounds from fruit and vegetable waste streams, mostly on a small scale but with clearly demonstrated applications in both the food industry and cosmetic industry [19,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35].…”