Improving Biodegradable Food Packaging with Allyl Isothiocyanate and β-Cyclodextrin
Author Information
Author(s): Muñoz-Shugulí Cristina, Rodríguez-Mercado Francisco, Guarda Abel, Galotto María José, Jiménez Alfonso, Garrigós María Carmen, Ramos Marina
Primary Institution: Facultad de Ciencias, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Ecuador
Hypothesis
The study aims to evaluate how β-CD:AITC inclusion complexes affect the properties of PLA films under composting conditions.
Conclusion
Incorporating β-CD:AITC complexes into PLA films significantly enhances their disintegration rate under composting conditions, achieving up to 90% disintegration in 23 days.
Supporting Evidence
- Incorporating 5% and 10% β-CD:AITC complexes reduced disintegration time by 5 days compared to pure PLA.
- The films maintained antimicrobial functionality at low humidity and released effectively at higher humidity levels.
- PLA films with β-CD:AITC achieved up to 90% disintegration in 23 days under composting conditions.
Takeaway
This study shows that adding certain compounds to biodegradable plastic can help it break down faster in compost, making it better for the environment.
Methodology
Films were prepared using melt extrusion and characterized based on their structural, chemical, morphological, thermal, and barrier properties.
Limitations
The study does not address the long-term effects of the inclusion complexes on the mechanical properties of the films after disintegration.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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