Biocomposites of PLA and Mango Seed Waste: Potential Material for Food Packaging and a Technological Alternative to Reduce Environmental Impact

• Published in: Starch Vol. 73; no. 5-6
• Main Authors: Lima, Edla Maria Bezerra, Middea, Antonieta, Neumann, Reiner, Thiré, Rossana Mara da Silva Moreira, Pereira, Jéssica Fernandes, Freitas, Sidinea Cordeiro, Penteado, Marília Stephan, Lima, Aline Muniz, Minguita, Adriana Paula da Silva, Mattos, Mariana da Costa, Teixeira, Alessandra da Silva, Pereira, Ingrid Cristina Soares, Rojas dos Santos, Natália Rodrigues, Marconcini, José Manoel, Oliveira, Renata Nunes, Corrêa, Ana Carolina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-05-2021
• Subjects: Biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Composite materials; Differential thermal analysis; Differential thermogravimetric analysis; Environmental impact; Extrusion; Food packaging; Food packaging industry; Fourier analysis; Fourier transforms; Gravimetric analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Integument; Kernels; mango; Mangoes; Mechanical analysis; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Morphology; poly (lactic acid); Polylactic acid; Starch; Thermal degradation; Thermogravimetry
• ISSN: 0038-9056; 1521-379X
• DOI: 10.1002/star.202000118

Mango
seeds from agro‐industry represents an environmental problem due to
the amounts of by‐products produced. Conversely, poly (lactic acid)
(PLA) is a potential green alternative to conventional plastics. The
goal of this study aimed to develop a biocomposite based on PLA and
mango’s by‐product for rigid packaging. Six biocomposites are
obtained by extrusion/injection processing using formulations with
PLA as a matrix and up to 20% by weight of mango seed’s
by‐products. The materials are characterized by chemical and
physical analysis; scanning
electron microscopy/energy dispersive X‐ray, X‐ray diffraction;
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); thermal gravimetric
analysis/differential thermogravimetry; differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical analysis. FTIR bands and DSC transitions related to starch are higher in the kernel,
while more cellulose
bands are found in the integument. Kernel
presented thermal degradation in the biocomposites, the sample PLA+20
wt% kernel. For the other compositions, it is possible to observe
that they could keep their morphology. Significant improvements
in both mechanical and barrier properties are found in the formulation with 20 wt%
integument (up to 38% in elastic modulus). Therefore, this study
suggests that biocomposites
developed from PLA / Integument / Kernel have potential as a new biomaterial for rigid food packaging systems.
This study suggests that biocomposites developed from PLA/integument/kernel have potential as a new biomaterial for rigid food packaging systems.