Polysaccharide plastic

COLE Constmuits on Decay of Polysaccharide—Plastic Blends... 

For the reasons stated above, deep intrusion of degrading microbes into polysaccharide-plastic films is demonstrably and theoretically improbable. Since starch removal does occur when the films are buried in soil, the primary mechanism must be microbial production of amylase in or near a pore, diffusion of the enzyme into pores and diffusion of soluble digestion products back to the surface where they are metabolized (Figure 3). This mechanism would be the only choice when the pore diameter is too small to admit a microbial cell (i.e., at diameters < 0.5 /im). An alternative mechanism could be diffusion of a water-soluble polysaccharide to the film surface, at which point degradation would occur. None of the materials used in these investigations showed loss of starch even when soaked in water for extended periods with microbial inhibitors present. Therefore, diffusion of amylase to the substrate rather than diffusion of the substrate to the film surface is the more likely mechanism. 

COLE QfnstraiiUs on Deci of Polysaccharide-Plastic Blends... 

The discovery that several controlling factors in decay of polysaccharide -plastic composites are physico-chemical in nature (rather than environmental or biological) should make it possible to develop an accurate simulation model to define structural and biodegradable boundaries to achieve the best balance between the two conflicting requirements. This type of model would facilitate development of materials that are satisfactory by both engineering and biodegradability criteria a model of this type is currently being developed in my laboratory. 

Natta catalyst See catalyst, Ziegler-Natta. natural A substance or mixture that occurs in nature, such as polysaccharide. It is the opposite of a synthetic material, such as practically all plastics. See organic organic, in-polysaccharide plastic synthetic. 

Biodegradable films made from edible biopolymers from renewable sources could become an important factor in reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. Proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides are the main biopolymers employed to make edible films and coatings. Which of these components are present in different proportions and determine the properties of the material, as a barrier to water vapor, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and lipid transfer in food systems (Gomez-Guillen et al. 2002 and 2009). 

Polymers are examples of organic compounds. However, the main difference between polymers and other organic compounds is the size of the polymer molecules. The molecular mass of most organic compounds is only a few hundred atomic mass units (for reference, atomic hydrogen has a mass of one atomic mass unit). The molecular masses of polymeric molecules range from thousands to millions of atomic mass units. Synthetic polymers include plastics and synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyesters. Naturally occurring polymers include proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and rubber. The large size of a polymer molecule is attained by the repeated attachment of smaller molecules called monomers. 

The origin and function of xylan in the cell wall are also not explained. Postulations that it is a plasticizer or is a reserve food are not fully substantiated. Its derivation from cellulose through the decarboxylation of an intermediary polyglucuronic acid seems very unlikely. There is evidence from a number of sources to indicate that the xylan polysaccharide is deposited along with cellulose in cell wall elaboration. 

Oxygen Availability in Degrading Films. A major difference between natural materials and starch-plastic or cellulose-plastic blends is that the hydrophilic and relatively permeable matrix of materials like wood and hydrated polysaccharide films allows diffusion of O2 and release of nutrients from sites at a distance from the invasion site. As colonization proceeds, pore enlargement occurs when the pore walls are degraded (8) or as the polymer matrix of amylose or PVA films is hydrolyzed (10.12). In contrast, the LDPE matrix supplies no nutrients, hinders diffusion of water and O2, and the pore diameter cannot be increased. The consequence of impermeability is that the sole means of obtaining O2 and nutrients is by diffusion through water-filled pores. 

A number of lower volume chemicals can be obtained from wood hydrolysis. Furfural is formed from the hydrolysis of some polysaccharides to pentoses, followed by dehydration. This process is still used in the Soviet Union. Furfural is used in small amounts in some phenol plastics it is a small minor pesticide and an important commercial solvent. It can be converted into the common solvent tetrahydrofuran (THF) and an important solvent and intermediate in organic synthesis, furfuryl alcohol. 

Another potentially important fermentation is that producing butyric acid. The process is used industrially on only a small scale at present and details have not been disclosed. Many derivatives of butyric acid are used industrially the benzyl, methyl, octyl and terpenyl esters are used in the perfumery and essence trade and amyl butyrate, bornyl and isobornyl butyrates have been described as plasticizers for cellulose esters. Moreover vinyl butyrate is a possible ingredient of polymerizable materials. The mixed acetic and butyric acid esters of polysaccharides are also coming into favor. Cellulose acetate butyrate is marketed as an ingredient of lacquer and is less inflammable than the pure acetate. Dextran (see below) acetate butyrate may have similar uses. 

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