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In contemporary times, the food industry is tasked with ensuring that its products maintain good quality, with packaging being one of the most evident challenges. Traditionally, food packaging materials were derived from petroleum, but in recent years, biomaterials have emerged as viable alternatives to fulfill these functions. It is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of these biomaterials compared to conventional packaging. Therefore, this study conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis between traditional packaging and bio-based packaging for food in terms of market, technical aspects, and regulations. Information was gathered from specialized databases, and 59 technical datasheets of conventional packaging and 28 technical datasheets of bio-based packaging were analyzed. The results revealed that certain bio-based packaging materials, such as cellulose, polyglycolic acid, and polyhydroxybutyrate, are excellent alternatives for food packaging, particularly in situations requiring moisture and oxidation resistance, as well as the ability to withstand high temperatures during production and storage. Furthermore, it was found that the bio-based packaging market experiences significant growth due to the increasing demand for sustainable packaging, government regulations against single-use plastics, and consumer trends. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the food industry considers the use of bio-based packaging as a viable and promising solution to enhance the quality and preservation of their products while meeting environmental requirements and consumer preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huanglongbing (HLB) vectored by Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) severely affects commercial plantations of Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia) in the dry tropic region of Mexico. Management of Huanglongbing is based on intensive use of agronomic practices such as irrigation, nutrition, pruning, and weed, insect pest, and disease control. During 2018 to 2022, the effect of black, white, aluminum, and green plastic mulches, a white polypropylene mesh (ground cover), and bare soil (traditional system), were evaluated on D. citri and incidence-severity (I-S) of Huanglongbing, and Mexican lime yields. Trees with all types of plastic mulch had less I-S during the first 13 months of the study (35 to 40% of affected foliage) compared to bare soil (74% of tree affected). Also, plots with plastic mulches had fewer Asian citrus psyllid adults (one to 16 insects/trap/week) as compared with bare soil (11 to 28 adults). Mulched treatments had a positive effect on fruit production. After 4 years, plots with white, aluminum, green, and black plastic yielded 41.6, 40.1, 39.6, and 34.9 t/ha. Bare soil yielded only 26.6 t/ha. The cost to install plastic mulches was $526/ha. Because of that, the plastics increased yields by 50-56% and the average price of Mexican lime fruit was about $600 per ton. This production system is an economically profitable alternative to the growers to coexist with Huanglongbing in the dry tropics of Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a large amount of waste generated by the removal of thorns from the pear-cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill.) cladodes with a high fibre content. These agricultural by-products are sources of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose, with potential for use as biomaterials in sustainable production. Aiming to contribute towards solving an environmental problem due to the use of conventional plastics, and under the premise that pear-cactus flour would be added as a biopolymeric compound to improve performance and final properties of polymers; the objective of this research was to perform proximate chemical analysis (AQP) and thermal analysis on pear-cactus cladodes flour from the state of Morelos, Mexico in three harvest periods, to verify their useful characteristics towards being added into polymers to produce biodegradable packaging. Water content, crude protein, ash, fat, crude fibre, acidic detergent fibre (FDA), neutral detergent fibre (FDN), nitrogen-free extract (ELN), cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin were evaluated in the AQP. To evaluate thermal properties, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were performed. The experimental design was completely randomized; an ANOVA was performed with a factorial data arrangement and Tukey's mean comparison test. The AQP in the flours showed significant differences (p£0.05) in ashes, crude fibre, neutral detergent fibre, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The pear-cactus flours were similar in the three months of sampling and had a similar thermal profile in TGA and DSC. Tg was obtained between 46-48 °C, Tm between 32-130 °C, and the final decomposition temperature at 455 °C. Thermal tests indicated that pear-cactus flour can be added to polymeric matrices without decomposition occurring when used as a bio-based material, that is, a polymer derived from biological materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-biodegradable waste such as plastic has been the subject of attention due to its excessive use and accumulation as waste in the last 20 years, for which reason, bioplastics are positioned as relevant alternative substitutes for their easy assimilation by micro-microorganisms. The objective of this study was to characterize the microorganisms that participated in the biodegradation of a bioplastic of ethyl acrylate (AE) and tamarind xyloglucan (XgT), during a biodegradability test carried out through composting bioreactors, in order to recognize the viability of microbial development in such degradation systems. For this, primary seeding was performed on blood agar and Sabouraud, secondary seeding in IHB, medium in which 16 colonial morphologies were differentiated, with a tendency to Gram (+) bacilli; The enzymatic profile was made on starch agar (AA), skim milk agar (LD) and Baird-Parker agar (BP) to show the participation of enzymes amylase, caseinase and lecithinase; Likewise, the qualitative analysis of degradation and the plate count were made, which showed an average of 2.15x1012 CFU / mL of sample, exhibiting conditions for microbial viability in composting bioreactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioplastics have been created as an eco-efficient alternative to traditional plastic. They are obtained from natural polymers extracted from cellulose or starch, and are 100 % biodegradable. The aim of this research is to analyse the biodegradability of bioplastics made from Mangifera indica and Musa paradisiaca peels for which the research was divided into two parts: preparation of the bioplastic and biodegradability test. In the first stage, a methodology based on the addition of plasticizers such as water and glycerol were used. It is here where bioplastics were elaborated with different volumes of glycerol, to obtain unequal physical characteristics. In the last stage, worm humus was used as a degradation medium, the time range used to estimate the biodegradability of the sheets was 1 to 4 weeks. Finally, it was determined that the bioplastic made from mango peel had a reduction of 93.06 % in its initial weight and the bioplastic made from banana peel had a 73.16 % reduction in its initial weight at the end of the study. Based on the different volumes in the addition of glycerol for the preparation of the bioplastic, it was determined that it has a direct relationship with the biodegradability of the film, since the greater the amount of glycerol, this will increase the biodegradability of the films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The continuous demand for plastics has caused large accumulations of waste in landfills, contributing to environmental and public health problems. In Colombia, approximately 9,5 million tons of solid waste is generated annually, and 14% corresponds to plastic materials. Pyrolysis is a technique by which it is possible to remedy part of the problem, because energy and products are recovered in the form of liquid and gaseous fuel. This article presents the implementation and comparison of two models in Aspen Plus for the simulation of the pyrolysis process for the production of liquid fuels from different plastic waste. The models are based on the minimization of Gibbs free energy and reaction kinetic mechanisms. The simulation performed calculates the yields (% of weight) and the properties of each product flow according to the operating conditions. In comparison with data from the literature and experimental information collected in this research, the thermodynamic model showed deviations greater than 20%. The kinetic model presented good estimates obtaining errors = 8%. According to the results obtained, the production of liquid fuel from plastic wastes is favored according to the raw material as follows: polystyrene > high density polyethylene ? low density polyethylene > polyethylene terephthalate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is very frequently used in wastewaters characterization. It allows to know the amount of organic matter that can be degraded by microorganisms in a biological wastewater treatment. However with the chemical oxygen demand (COD) it is possible to know the biodegradable and non-biodegradable fractions including those inorganic compounds that can be chemically oxidized. The COD is commonly used as a variable to define the carbonic material (biodegradable or non-biodegradable), present in wastewaters. The objective of this paper is to show a non-conventional vision from an actual perspective in the wastewater treatment by biological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecuatorian agroindustrial represents an important sector of participation for the economy. Its operation generates waste that, given its composition and processing possibility, becomes a material of interest to be used as a raw material in the production of bioplastics. The availability of the residue depends on the volume generated, which is why the amount produced by the agroindustrial country was estimated, using a pre-established methodology that starts from the annual average of crops, the portion of production allocated to industrial processing, the rate of generation of waste and other competitive uses. It was estimated that annually the agroindustrial generates about 2200 million kilograms, which are mostly composed of starch or lignocellulosic resources, which with physical, chemical or biotechnological transformations, can be used as raw material, filler material or precursor of bioplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes some of the research experiences conducted at the University of Cauca In the field of biodegradable packaging as raw material derivatives agroindustrial processing of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Headings are addressed related to the formation of human talent, strengthening research groups participate, support from government agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development-MARD- Colciencias and General Royalties System, relations with other institutions Higher Education in Colombia and abroad, participation in technological development centers, producers and industry organizations with collaborative work have enabled us to consolidate and strengthen the agribusiness chain of cassava in Cauca department. It also describes the processes in terms of intellectual property such as patents and licensing obtained, which strengthen the research group "Science and Technology of Agro-Interest Biomolecules CYTBIA-" leader in the field of bioplastics, and related information required with the creation of a "Spin Off" Technological Development and Innovation in biodegradable, which validates the impact of research developments directly in Science, Technology and Innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA's) intracellular granules accumulated by bacterial species in environments with imbalance in Carbon/Nitrogen, Carbon/ Phosphorus have similar physicochemical properties to conventional plastics, but are biodegradable. However, the high cost of PHA's lead to strategies of production, but with the lowest possible investment, therefore, in this study we explore different environments in Nariño department to search and selecting PHA's producing bacteria with industrial potential. The presumptive detection of PHA's bacteria isolated from soil and water samples were performed using the Nile Red dye, isolates selected were subjected to batch fermentation and the polymer obtained was characterized by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Those isolates with increased accumulation of polymer were characterized by biochemical tests and partial sequencing of the16SrRNAgene. Finally, was evaluated the production of PHA's using as substrate domestic wastewater. 189 bacterial isolates were obtained, which produce from 0,01gL-1 to 5,24 gL-1 of homopolymer poly-3-hydroxybutyrate or poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate. Likewise, were recovered 0,111gL-1 of Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate from wastewater. From this perspective, wild bacteria producing PHA's isolated in Department of Nariño have different potential to advance environmental and industrial processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physicochemical properties of native and hydroxypropylation cassava (Manihot sculenta Crantz) starch varieties were studied. Starches from three cassava varieties were analyzed, codified as CM 7138-7, CUMBRE 3 and SM 707-17. The objective was to identify the changes in the physicochemical properties due to hydroxypropylation process. It was also obtained the pasting curves, thermal properties by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The native starches exhibited differences in the pasting curves, glass transition temperatures (Tg) and fusion temperatures (Tm). The modified starches showed differences in the molar substitution degree, pasting curves, Tg, Tm and the FT-IR spectrum. The hidroxypropylation process did generate significant changes in the properties of native starches. In both cases, this differences could be attributed to starch amylose and amylopectin content. Respect to native and modified starches differences, hidroxypropylation process generated changes over studied properties. Due to amylose content and modified starch less viscosity and Tg values, was concluded that variety CM 7138-7 was selected as the one with probably major package making potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bioplastic semirrigid material was developed from native flour of four cassava varieties (MBRA 383, MPER 183, CM 4574-7 and CM 7951-5), incorporating fique dust, by thermo-compression technique. The material was obtained by subjecting the raw material mixture in a mold and subsequently it was compressed at 200°C. The cassava variety suitable for use in the material development was MPER 183, with results of last tensile and flexural resistance of 1,8 MPa ± 0,2 and 3,5 ± 0,2 MPa, respectively, and resistance to impact of 21,2 ± 0,1 J/m. Compression molded samples, obtained in this work are technologically feasible and favorable performance characteristics presented as an alternative to the use of polystyrene foam food packaging applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhydroxyalkanoates are natural polyesters with excellent characteristics to replace conventional plastics. They are bio-compatibles and biodegradables and in a short time they can be reduced to carbon dioxide and water. They are intracellular synthetized by different bacteria and they can be obtained from a large variety of substrates, including some agriculture wastes. The main target is to identify native strains with potential to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates. A bio-prospection was performed in the sludge of San Fernando's waste water plant (Itagüí-Antioquia). 19 colonies were isolated in a selective agar, and then the colonies with positive oxidase were selected. The activation and cultivation were carried in a liquid minimum salt medium (MSM) to establish the biopolymer accumulation rate. The strains LM-3D, LAR-4D, LAR-5B, LAR-5E exhibited a pHAs accumulation rate of 2, 10, 4, 3% respectively, and the strain LM-3F exhibited a 25% of biopolymer accumulation rate against others. Upon the biochemical analysis it was established that polymer producer strains were Shingomonas paucemobilis, Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas sobria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starch is a renewable and cheap natural polysaccharide from that is easily to make biodegradable plastic products. However, its products have low mechanical properties and tend to change its properties in the presence of water. For reduce the problems caused for water in the plastic product derived from starch, originate from de high hydrophilicity of this polymer, are diverse strategies such as the chemical modification of starch, the blend of starch with minor hydrophilic polymers and the superficial modification of the final products. In the present review is presented some examples of investigations related with the mentioned strategies, focused the attention in superficial modification that allow decrease the hydrophilicity of plastic products based on starch without affect the internal characterizes of material significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work it was studied the optical properties and water vapor permeability (WVP) in biodegradable films made from two thermoplastic cassava starch varieties native and hydrolyzed, polylactic acid and polycaprolactone. The films were obtained by extrusion process, and their properties were rated for 1, 8, 60 and 120 days. The PVA for 120 days was between 2, 18 x 10-11 and 9, 12 x 10-11 g / Pa * s * m. Almost all the films retained their color issues with values of between 83,92 and 87,89 L, the parameter a * and b * were close to 0, resulting films with a slight tendency to yellow. The gloss values varied between 16,06 and 21,98 GU during the aging. This study found that aging affected significantly the optical properties and the WVP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we studied the thermoplastic starch incorporation on physico-chemical, thermal and mechanical properties of ternary blends of thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactide (PLLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL). The TPS worked was obtaining from cassava starch and it was plasticized with 30 % (w/w) of glycerol using the extrusion technology. Five different percentages (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 % w/w) of TPS were varying, maintaining constant the relation PLLA/PCL at 70:30. It was found that the binary blend PLLA/PCL was non-miscible and the polycaprolactone was the continua phase, with the TPS incorporation the mechanical strength and tensile modulus were reduced proportionally to the TPS added, also the moisture absorption was increasing and thermal stability was reduced in the ternary blends with the TPS incorporated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of different oxidation conditions by hypochlorite, on the content of carboxyl and carbonyl groups of cassava starch, finding that the concentration of oxidant had the highest effect on the formation of both groups functional. The pH had a highest effect on the content of carbonyl groups than on the content of carboxyl groups. Likewise, oxidized starch was obtained at three degrees of oxidation which exhibited lower viscosity, higher gel stability and lower retrogradation tendency when compared with native starch. Films were obtained and their mechanical and thermal properties were evaluated, finding that higher modification degree incremented stress while the strain exhibited no significant differences. Conversely, the greater modification degree, the films showed lower strain and the stress showed no significant differences. The thermal analysis showed a Tg, which is not present in native starch films, a higher Tm and a gradual decrease of ΔHm with oxidation degree increasing, which might suggest a greater miscibility and interaction between film components as well as greater stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was evaluated the morphological surface of thermoplastic starch (TPS) obtained from three modified cassava starch varieties, plasticizer and an antimicrobial agent. The films was made by blown extrusion and extended over a slide and then was taken photomicrographs with 4x and 10x objectives. It was used High Resolution Optical Microscopy to image characterization. The technique showed the effect of plasticizer addition over the starch films microstructure, it was found some inhomogeneity; however was identified some smooth regions related to form and size of starch granule, plasticizer concentration and extrusion variables process like velocity screw and temperature profile. This research contributed to characterize microstructural properties and gave some insights about the mechanical behaviour of TPS films, needed to study and make biodegradable films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancroft) native starch (NS) was oxidized (OS) or acetylated (AS) to produce biodegradable films, changing the concentration of glycerol in order to determine the effect of modifying the starch type and concentration of the plasticizer on the mechanical properties of the films. It was observed that the type of modification of starch and the amount of plasticizer used in the formulae to obtain the films have significant effect (p<0.01) in tensile strength (TS), percent elongation at break (%E) and elasticity modulus (EM). When using AS for the production of films, a greater value in the average TS was reached and this is greater when using lowest amount of plasticizer. While using NS, higher average %E was achieved and this is greater when using higher amount of plasticizer. Among the two factors that affect the mechanical properties of the films obtained, there was not interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyesters intracellularly accumulated by various microorganisms as carbon and energy storage materials. The most common representative is poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). These biopolymers have been considered to be good substitutes for petroleum-derived synthetic plastics because of their similar properties to synthetic polymers and its complete biodegradability after disposal. Nevertheless a major drawback to the commercialisation of PHAs is their much higher production cost compared with petrochemical-based synthetic plastic materials. Optimization of fermentation process is one of the strategies more used to reducing high production costs of PHB. The aims of this work were to determine the optimal initial pH value for PHB production, as well as to optimize the agitation-aeration conditions of the fermentation process for product-biomass yield and for PHB accumulation by Rhizobium tropici strain 3. Optimization of initial pH was carried out in an orbital shaker. The pH values were adjusted between 6 and 8. The relation between pH and PHB concentration (g ⋅ L-1 ) was modelled by using orthogonal polynomials. The optimal pH that assures the biggest PHB production is 6.58 ± 0.2. As statistical tools, a central compose design Box-Wilson was used to search the optimal values of two important variables in fermentation process: agitation-aeration rates, for PHB production and for product-biomass yield. The fermentations were carried out in a bioreactor with 7.5 L capacity with 5 L of optimum culture medium. It was determined that optimal values to obtain a maximum PHB production are 500 r ⋅ min-1 and 1 vvm (volumes of air per minute per volume of batch) for agitation and aeration respectively and for product-biomass yield optimal values are 472 r ⋅ min-1 and 1.55 vvm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Size and nature of native starch granules influence its processability as thermoplastic. These characteristics depend upon culture practices and location. Through optical microscopy, the native national corn, cassava and potato starch granule was morphologically characterized. There were significant differences in size, shape and surface. It was concluded that the hilum is preferentially located in the center of the granule for the first and second sources. In the third it is located eccentrically. The corn starch median granular size was in agreement with other authors; in potato, it differs. Size distributions in cassava and corn agree with previous experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites a study which isolated and identified Enterobacter cloacae as the predominant strain in a biofilm of packaging areas of soft drinks industry in Cuba. The bacteria showed an exponential growth phase along the first six hours of culturing. Researchers examined the carbohydrates consumption and the accumulation on an exopolysaccharide. Fourier transform infrared analysis and thermogravimetric analysis were employed in this study.