Biodegradation of Biodegradable Polymers in Mesophilic Aerobic Environments.

Finding alternatives to diminish plastic pollution has become one of the main challenges of modern life. A few alternatives have gained potential for a shift toward a more circular and sustainable relationship with plastics. Biodegradable polymers derived from bio- and fossil-based sources have emerged as one feasible alternative to overcome inconveniences associated with the use and disposal of non-biodegradable polymers. The biodegradation process depends on the environment's factors, microorganisms and associated enzymes, and the polymer properties, resulting in a plethora of parameters that create a complex process whereby biodegradation times and rates can vary immensely. This review aims to provide a background and a comprehensive, systematic, and critical overview of this complex process with a special focus on the mesophilic range. Activity toward depolymerization by extracellular enzymes, biofilm effect on the dynamic of the degradation process, CO2 evolution evaluating the extent of biodegradation, and metabolic pathways are discussed. Remarks and perspectives for potential future research are provided with a focus on the current knowledge gaps if the goal is to minimize the persistence of plastics across environments. Innovative approaches such as the addition of specific compounds to trigger depolymerization under particular conditions, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, and the addition of natural and/or modified enzymes are state-of-the-art methods that need faster development. Furthermore, methods must be connected to standards and techniques that fully track the biodegradation process. More transdisciplinary research within areas of polymer chemistry/processing and microbiology/biochemistry is needed.

Effect of Water-Resistant Properties of Kraft Paper (KP) Using Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) Plasma Coating.

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) plasma at different pressures, powers, and times was used to treat Kraft paper (KP) to enhance its water resistance. The KP was treated with SF6 plasma from 20-300 mTorr of pressure at powers from 25-75 Watts and treatment times from 1-30 min at 13.56 MHz. The prepared papers were characterized by contact angle measurement and water absorption. The selected optimum condition for the plasma-treated KP was 200 mTorr at 50 Watts for 5 min. Advancement with the change in treatment times (3, 5, and 7 min) on the physical and mechanical properties, water resistance, and morphology of KP with SF6 plasma at 200 mTorr and 50 Watts was evaluated. The changes in the chemical compositions of the plasma-treated papers were analyzed with an XPS analysis. The treatment times of 0, 3, 5, and 7 min revealed fluorine/carbon (F/C) atomic concentration percentages at 0.00/72.70, 40.48/40.97, 40.18/37.95, and 45.72/39.48, respectively. The XPS spectra showed three newly raised peaks at 289.7~289.8, 291.5~291.7, and 293.4~293.6 eV in the 3, 5, and 7 min plasma-treated KPs belonging to the CF, CF2, and CF3 moieties. The 5 min plasma-treated paper promoted a better interaction between the SF6 plasma and the paper yielded by the F atoms. As the treatment time for the treated KPs increased, the contact angle, water absorption time, and Cobb test values increased. However, the thickness and tensile strength did not show remarkable changes. The SEM images revealed that, as the treatment time increased, the surface roughness of the plasma-treated KPs also increased, leading to improved water resistance properties. Overall, the SF6 plasma treatment modified the surface at the nano-layer range, creating super-hydrophobicity surfaces.

Morphology, Mechanical, and Water Barrier Properties of Carboxymethyl Rice Starch Films: Sodium Hydroxide Effect.

Carboxymethyl rice starch films were prepared from carboxymethyl rice starch (CMSr) treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 10-50% w/v. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of NaOH concentrations on morphology, mechanical properties, and water barrier properties of the CMSr films. The degree of substitution (DS) and morphology of native rice starch and CMSr powders were examined. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to investigate the chemical structure, crystallinity, and thermal properties of the CMSr films. As the NaOH concentrations increased, the DS of CMSr powders increased, which affected the morphology of CMSr powders; a polyhedral shape of the native rice starch was deformed. In addition, the increase in NaOH concentrations of the synthesis of CMSr resulted in an increase in water solubility, elongation at break, and water vapor permeability (WVP) of CMSr films. On the other hand, the water contact angle, melting temperature, and the tensile strength of the CMSr films decreased with increasing NaOH concentrations. However, the tensile strength of the CMSr films was relatively low. Therefore, such a property needs to be improved and the application of the developed films should be investigated in the future work.

Preliminary quantification of the permeability, solubility and diffusion coefficients of major aroma compounds present in herbs through various plastic packaging materials.

BACKGROUND: Aroma permeation through packaging material is an important factor when designing a package for food products. The masses of aroma compounds permeating through films over time were measured at 25 °C using a quasi-isostatic system. A model was proposed for estimating the permeability coefficients (P) of key aroma compounds present in fresh herbs (i.e. eucalyptol, estragole, linalool and citral) through major plastic films used by the food industry [i.e. low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), nylon (Nylon), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), metalised-polyethylene terephthalate (MPET) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA)]. Solubility coefficients (S) were estimated from the amount of aroma compound sorbed in the films. Diffusion coefficients (D) were estimated following from the relation P = D*S. RESULTS: P and D for all four aroma compounds were highest in LDPE, except for eucalyptol, which P was slightly higher in PLA. The solubility coefficients and contact angles were highest in PLA suggesting the highest affinity of PLA to these aroma compounds. The theoretical solubility parameters were correlated with the solubility coefficients for estragole and citral, but not for eucalyptol and linalool. CONCLUSION: The preliminary P, D and S of eucalyptol, estragole, linalool and citral through LDPE, PP, Nylon, PET, MPET and PLA can be useful in selecting the proper packaging material for preserving these specific aroma compounds in food products and can potentially be used for estimating the shelf life of food products based on aroma loss. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biodegradable Rice Starch/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Films with Added Propolis Extract for Potential Use as Active Food Packaging.

Active films from rice starch/carboxymethyl chitosan (RS/CMCh) incorporated with propolis extract (ppl) were developed and characterized. The effect of the ppl content (0⁻10% w/w based on RS/CMCh) on the developed films' properties were determined by measuring the optical, mechanical, thermal, swelling, barrier, antimicrobial, and antioxidant attributes. The thermal stability and biodegradability of the films were also investigated. As the ppl content increased, free radical scavenging and a* and b* color values increased, whereas luminosity (L*) and swellability of the films decreased. The active films with 5⁻10% ppl possessed antimicrobial ability against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus). The active film with 10% ppl displayed increased flexibility and thermal stability, without a change in oxygen permeability. The results indicated that incorporation of ppl into RS/CMCh film could enhance the films' antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

Effects of packaging materials on the aroma stability of Thai 'tom yam' seasoning powder as determined by descriptive sensory analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Changes in the aroma characteristics of Thai 'tom yam' seasoning powder, containing lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaf, as affected by different packaging materials were assessed using quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The descriptive aroma attributes for lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaf powders were developed by the QDA panel. The mixed herb and spice seasoning powder was kept in glass jars closed with different packaging materials (Nylon 6, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polylactic acid (PLA)) stored at 38 °C (accelerated storage condition), and evaluated by the trained QDA panel during storage for 49 days. RESULTS: The descriptive words for Thai 'tom yam' seasoning powder developed by the trained panelists were lemongrass, vinegary and leafy for lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaf dried powder, respectively. The aroma intensities significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased with increased storage time. However, the intensity scores for aroma attributes were not significantly (P > 0.05) different among the packaging materials studied. The major components in Thai 'tom yam' seasoning powder, quantified by GC-MS, were estragole, bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane, ß-bisabolene, benzoic acid and 2-ethylhexyl salicylate. The concentrations of major aroma compounds significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased with storage time. CONCLUSION: Aroma stability of Thai 'tom yam' powder can be determined by descriptive sensory evaluation and GC-MS analysis. Nylon, PET and PLA exhibited similar aroma barrier properties against key aroma compounds in Thai 'tom yam'. This information can be used for prediction of aroma loss through packaging materials during storage of Thai 'tom yam'. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.