abstract
BACKGROUND Non-value agrifood byproducts are rich in biomolecules such as proteins and polysaccharides, and possess film-forming ability, motivating their use in the development of biodegradable plastics. This work studied the feasibility of using locust bean milling-derived dust (LBMD) as a source of biomolecules suitable for developing biodegradable plastics. RESULTS LBMD is composed of 56% protein, 28% carbohydrate, 10% moisture, 6% lipid, and 2% ash. In addition, phenolic compounds are also present. The carbohydrates are mainly composed by (1 -> 4)-mannose, (1 -> 4,6)-mannose, and t-galactose glycosidic linkages. Depending on the LBMD concentration used, when employed in casting biodegradable plastics, LBMD yields transparent yellowish bioplastics with 90% elongation at break and surface water contact angles ranging from 60 degrees to 90 degrees. Additionally, LBMD-based bioplastics display antioxidant activity, inhibiting cationic 2,2 '-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals up to 61% in just 24 h. LBMD-based bioplastics are disintegrated when incubated on the soil surface for 34 weeks, perhaps acting as a soil nutrient. CONCLUSION LBMD represents a potential source of biomolecules for producing transparent, flexible, water tolerant, antioxidant, and biodegradable bioplastics, opening up opportunities to implement a novel circular strategy to valorize this locust bean industry byproduct. (c) 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
keywords
EDIBLE FILMS; PROTEIN; STARCH; PRODUCTS; BARRIER; PULP; GUM
subject category
Agriculture; Chemistry; Food Science & Technology
authors
Lopes, J; Malheiro, C; Prodana, M; Loureiro, S; Ferreira, P; Coimbra, MA; Gonçalves, I
our authors
Idalina José Monteiro Gonçalves
Junior Researcher
Joana Filipa Martinho Lopes
PhD Student
Paula Celeste da Silva Ferreira
Coordinating ResearcherGroups
G2 - Photonic, Electronic and Magnetic Materials
G4 - Renewable Materials and Circular Economy
Projects
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDB/50011/2020)
CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UIDP/50011/2020)
Associated Laboratory CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (LA/P/0006/2020)
Projeto de Investigação Exploratória: Paula Ferreira (IF_Paula Ferreira)
acknowledgements
The authors want to thank for the financial support of LAQV-REQUIMTE research Unit (FCT ref. UIDB/50006/2020), CICECO Aveiro Institute of Materials (FCT Ref. UIDB/50011/2020 & UIDP/50011/2020 & LA/P/0006/2020) and CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020 &UIDB/50017/2020&LA/P/0094/2020) by national funds through the FCT/MEC (PIDDAC). The authors also want to acknowledge Industrial Farense, Lda. for providing the LBMD. FCT is also thanked for the Investigator FCT program (PF, ref. IF/00300/2015), the Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus (IG, ref. CEECIND/00430/2017), and the doctoral grants (JL, ref. SFRH/BD/136804/2018; CM, ref. PD/BD/135577/2018).