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Fabrication and Studies on the Mechanical Properties and Biodegradability of Nano-biocomposites Utilizable in Food Packaging

Heydari, Amir | 2013

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  1. Type of Document: Ph.D. Dissertation
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 44639 (06)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
  6. Advisor(s): Vossoughi, Manouchehr; Alemzadeh, Iran
  7. Abstract:
  8. In this research, Response Surface Methodology was applied to study the effects of Na-Montmorillonite and glycerol on some functional properties of corn starch films. Films were prepared by casting method according to central composite design. No antimicrobial activities were observed against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum of hydrophilicity and the maximum of tensile strength were obtained by maximization of clay and minimization of plasticizer in the considered range, which resulted in minimum transparency. Biodegradation of corn starch/glycerol/Na-MMT nanocomposites by soil burial according to ASTM D6400 and enzymatic degradation tests were carried out for up to 6 months and 24 hr, respectively. Increasing in Na-MMT content decreased biodegradability; while presence of glycerol, increased it. The effect of nanoparticles content might have been attributed to interactions between starch and Na-MMT that further prevented enzymatic attack on the biopolymer. The effect of glycerol is debated because higher hydrophilicity and weaker mechanical properties enhanced the amylase attack on the samples. According to FTIR spectra for partially biodegraded films, the intensity of the peaks at 1150 and 1040 cm-1 associated with starch glycosidic linkages decreased which indicates the action of alpha-amylase
  9. Keywords:
  10. Corn Starch ; Nanocomposite ; Mechanical Properties ; Image Processing ; Response Surface Method

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