Starch*based material development

Starch base material development was completed by producing a periodate-oxidized, amylase-hydrolyzed material (Method C Oxidized). The process flowsheet for the production of this material and a corresponding amylase-treated Control (i) starch is given in Figure 3. 

Silva et al. (2006) studied starch-based microparticles as a novel strategy for tissue engineering applications. They developed starch-based microparticles, and evaluated them for bioactivity, cytotoxicity, ability to serve as substrates for cell adhesion, as well as their potential to be used as delivery systems either for anti-inflammatory agents or growth factors. Two starch-based materials were used for the development of starch-based particulate systems (1) a blend of starch and polylactic acid (SPLA) (50 50 w/w) and (2) a chemically modifled potato starch, Paselli II (Pa). Both materials enabled the synthesis of particulate systems, both polymer and composite (with BG 45S5). A simple solvent extraction method was employed for the synthesis of SPLA and SPLA/BG microparticles, while for Pa and Pa/BG... 

In 2005, starch-based materials were the largest class of biodegradable polymer with just over 47% of total market volumes. Loose-fill foam packaging accounts for more than a half of starch biopolymer volumes. Polylactic acid (PLA) is the second largest material class followed by synthetic aliphatic-aromatic co-polyesters. The PHA category is at an embryonic stage of market development with very low market tonnage at the moment. 

Formulation and Development of Biodegradable and Bio-based Multiphase Materials Plasticized Starch-based Materials... 

Abstract The development and production of biodegradable starch-based materials has attracted more and more attention in recent years due to the depletion in the world s oil resources and the growing interest in easing the environmental burden from petrochemically derived polymers. Furthermore, the unique microstructures of different starches can be used as an outstanding model system to illustrate the conceptual approach to understanding the relationship between the structures and properties in polymers. 

The second factor hindering the development of starch-based material for plastics has been the high cost of the technology required to solve the technical issues, ultimately reflected in the cost of the finished products. 

After more than 20 years of research and development, starch-based materials have achieved specific in-use performances and can replace traditional plastics in different application sectors. They are able to offer original solutions both from the technical and the environmental point of view. 

Starch is inherently non-suitable for most applications and, therefore, must be modified chemically and/or physically to enhance its positive properties and/or to minimize its drawbacks [53]. Flexibility in adjusting the properties to the needs of the specific application by appropriately modifying the composition, low-cost blending as opposed to innovative synthetic material development, and biodegradability are some of the main advantages which strongly motivate the development of starch-based materials [9]. 

It follows a short description of starch-based materials (Table 1) and polyesters (Table 2) That are either already on the market or at an advanced development stage. 

The results obtained in the field of thermoplastic starch in combination with polymers or copolymers of vinyl alcohol with aliphatic polyesters and copolyesters in terms of biodegradation kinetics, mechanical properties and reduced sensitivity to humidity make these materials ready for a real industrial development starting from film and foam applications. The present global market is around 12000 tons/year. Main producers are Novamont with Mater-Bi trade-mark, ENPAC and National Starch. The tensile properties of films made of two Novamont s Mater-Bi grades are reported in Table 3, in comparison to these of low density polyethylene (LDPE). Figs. 6-7 show applications of Mater-Bi starch-based materials now on the market. 

Some commercial thermoplastic starch polymer based products were highlighted in Table 6.1, and some of them can be examined in more detail in this section. Probably one of the first starch based products developed was the National Starch expanded starch foam packaging material ECO-FOAM . ECO-FOAM materials are derived from maize or tapioca starch and include modified starches. This relatively short-term, protected-environment packaging use is ideal for thermoplastic starch polymers. National starch now has additional thermoplastic starch materials, blends and speciality hydrophobic thermoplastic starches for a range of apphcations including injection moulded toys, extruded sheet and blown film apphcations. [http //www.eco-foam.com/ loosefill.asp]. 

Due to potential benefits associated with maintaining some undefined concentration of oligomer (e.g., DP >8 5), oligosaccharides of a DE of 10 or less were produced. Initially, a further constraint was desired for the development of a starch-based wall material. Food ad Drug Administration acceptability. Therefore, sodium hypochlorite was the oxidizing agent of choice for the early oxidation attempts (36). 

Starch has been considered an attractive raw material for polymer applications for almost 200 years. Kirchoff s discovery in 1811 that treatment of starch with an acid yields a sweet substance was an unexpected result of the search for a low-cost substitute for natural rubber.1 Considerable research in the development of starch-based polymer materials has been stimulated by the facts that starch is produced from wide variety of sources, is an annually renewable resource and is inherently biodegradable. 

The technology acquired from Eastman will enhance the market position of Novamont in polyester and starch-based polyester systems and will allow Novamont not only to complement its existing portfolio but also speed up the internal development of polyesters from renewable raw materials. 

Starch is still quite widely used as an adhesive in our modern, high tech world. Its adhesive properties are developed differently for different products, and starch-based adhesive is used in a large variety of applications. From the standpoint of its being a renewable resource, a reliable performer, and a low-cost raw material, starch would seem to be an adhesive ingredient on the market for a long time into the future. 

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