Preparation and Characterization of New Environmentally Friendly Starch-Cellulose Materials Modified with Casein or Gelatin for Agricultural Applications

The purpose of this work was to prepare new biodegradable starch-cellulose composites, with starch, using casein and gelatin as natural nutrients. The physico-chemical properties of the starch films and cellulose fabrics with starch coatings were studied by Fourier transformation infrared analysis, laser confocal scanning microscopy (LCSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, swelling tests, mechanical tests, thermal analysis thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The susceptibility of the starch films to biodegradation was investigated, together with their resistance to thermo-oxidative aging. As a result of the formation of the starch films, both the casein and gelatin macromolecules were able to interact directly with the starch matrix and the fractions of unbranched amylose and branched amylopectin it contained. This interaction was visible as changes in the absorption bands of the polar groups, as revealed by infrared analysis. Spectral analysis of the cellulose fabrics coated with starch films suggests that hydrogen bridges formed between the micelles of long cellulose filaments and the micro and macro-fibers of the starch pectins. An applicative test revealed that when used as a covering for bean cultivation the cellulose-starch composites act as a fertilizing component, contributing to significantly improved growth of Phaseolus vulgaris in comparison to the use of unmodified cellulose.

[1]  L. Visai,et al.  Metal Nanoparticles Embedded in Cellulose Nanocrystal Based Films: Material Properties and Post-use Analysis. , 2018, Biomacromolecules.

[2]  Lamis R. Darwish,et al.  A Comparative Study on the Mechanical and Biodegradation Characteristics of Starch-Based Composites Reinforced with Different Lignocellulosic Fibers , 2018, Journal of Polymers and the Environment.

[3]  Qian Lu,et al.  Effect of thermo-tolerant actinomycetes inoculation on cellulose degradation and the formation of humic substances during composting. , 2017, Waste management.

[4]  Yeqiao Meng,et al.  Synthesis and swelling property of the starch‐based macroporous superabsorbent , 2017 .

[5]  M. B. K. Niazi,et al.  Thermoplastic Starch: A Possible Biodegradable Food Packaging Material—A Review , 2017 .

[6]  Basel Younes,et al.  Classification, characterization, and the production processes of biopolymers used in the textiles industry , 2017 .

[7]  R. Boom,et al.  Bovine β-casein : Isolation, properties and functionality. A review , 2017 .

[8]  D. Bhattacharya,et al.  Selection of biopolymers to develop a biodegradable and ediblefilm for packaging of luncheon chicken meat slices , 2017 .

[9]  Yuzhi Du,et al.  Physicochemical and functional properties of gelatin extracted from Yak skin. , 2017, International journal of biological macromolecules.

[10]  M. Meinders,et al.  Interfacial properties, thin film stability and foam stability of casein micelle dispersions. , 2017, Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces.

[11]  E. Sadiku,et al.  Polyethylene/Other Biomaterials‐based Biocomposites and Bionanocomposites , 2016 .

[12]  Xue‐ren Yin,et al.  Characterization of Starch Degradation Related Genes in Postharvest Kiwifruit , 2016, International journal of molecular sciences.

[13]  M. Prochoń,et al.  The effect of modified keratin on the thermal properties of a cellulosic–elastomeric material , 2016, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry.

[14]  Qiang Liu,et al.  Treatments of protein for biopolymer production in view of processability and physical properties: A review , 2016 .

[15]  F. Zhu.  Isolation, Composition, Structure, Properties, Modifications, and Uses of Yam Starch , 2015 .

[16]  A. Gandini,et al.  A new approach to blending starch with natural rubber , 2015 .

[17]  C. Miles,et al.  Biodegradable plastic agricultural mulches and key features of microbial degradation , 2014, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology.

[18]  F. Wang,et al.  Cryo-SEM images of native milk fat globule indicate small casein micelles are constituents of the membrane , 2014 .

[19]  Shujing Li,et al.  Thermal, Pasting and Gel Textural Properties of Commercial Starches from Different Botanical Sources , 2014 .

[20]  H. Ismail,et al.  The effect of kenaf core fibre loading on properties of low density polyethylene/thermoplastic sago starch/kenaf core fiber composites , 2013 .

[21]  A. Marcilla,et al.  Thermal Treatment and Degradation of Cross-Linked Ethylene Vinyl Acetate–Polyethylene–Azodicarbonamide–ZnO Foams. Complete Kinetic Modeling and Analysis , 2012 .

[22]  Jahid M. M. Islam,et al.  Preparation and characterization of artificial skin using chitosan and gelatin composites for potential biomedical application , 2012, Polymer Bulletin.

[23]  C. Tonda-Turo,et al.  Comparative analysis of gelatin scaffolds crosslinked by genipin and silane coupling agent. , 2011, International journal of biological macromolecules.

[24]  Agustín González,et al.  Cross-linked soy protein as material for biodegradable films: Synthesis, characterization and biodegradation , 2011 .

[25]  J. Müssig.  Industrial Applications of Natural Fibres: Structure, Properties and Technical Applications , 2010 .

[26]  Richard C. Thompson,et al.  Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends , 2009, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

[27]  F. Krok,et al.  Characterization of starch nanoparticles , 2009 .

[28]  Congming Xiao,et al.  Starch-based completely biodegradable polymer materials , 2009 .

[29]  M. Chinnan,et al.  Preparation and properties of rice starch-chitosan blend biodegradable film , 2008 .

[30]  P. Bielicki,et al.  INFLUENCE OF VARIOUS SOIL MAINTENANCE METHODS IN ORGANIC ORCHARD ON THE GROWTH AND YIELDING OF SWEET CHERRY TREES IN THE FIRST YEARS AFTER PLANTING , 2008 .

[31]  M. Amiji,et al.  Gelatin Nanoparticles and Their Biofunctionalization , 2007 .

[32]  A. Marcilla,et al.  DSC study of transitions involved in thermal treatment of foamable mixtures of PE and EVA copolymer with azodicarbonamide , 2006 .

[33]  C. Grosso,et al.  Edible films produced with gelatin and casein cross-linked with transglutaminase , 2006 .

[34]  M. Zaborski,et al.  Biodegradable Protein-Containing Elastomeric Vulcanizates , 2005 .

[35]  K. Lee,et al.  Characterization of gelatin nanofiber prepared from gelatin–formic acid solution , 2005 .

[36]  V. Soldi,et al.  Thermal degradation of edible films based on milk proteins and gelatin in inert atmosphere , 2003 .

[37]  Joseph Irudayaraj,et al.  Characterization of irradiated starches by using FT-Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. , 2002, Journal of agricultural and food chemistry.

[38]  S. Harding,et al.  Further observations on the size, shape, and hydration of casein micelles from novel analytical ultracentrifuge and capillary viscometry approaches. , 2000, Biomacromolecules.

[39]  Ulf Isacsson,et al.  Rheological properties of SEBS, EVA and EBA polymer modified bitumens , 1999 .

[40]  C. Bastioli,et al.  Evaluation of the Biodegradation of Starch and Cellulose Under Controlled Composting Conditions , 1998 .