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Modification and Application of Starch-Based Polymers

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Processing and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2024) | Viewed by 20222

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Gagarina 7, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
Interests: starch modification and fuctionalization; biodegradation; photodegradation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Due to its universality, environmental safety, biocompatibility, and application potential, starch is intensely important for the industry. However, its physicochemical properties, including the tendency to induce swelling and retrogradation, strong polarity, variable rheological properties, and structural differences characterizing various botanical types, make its processing difficult. The use of proper modification allows for starch industrialization. The derivatives obtained by variable synthesis (chemical or physical) methods give starch-based materials unique, programmable, processing, and utility properties. The design of biomaterials for specific applications in the food and packaging industry, as well as in medicine and cosmetics, attracts particular attention. Controlled biodegradability, improved mechanical strength and water resistance, as well as more specific properties for definite applications (gas barrier and antioxidant properties, biocompatibility, and bioactivity), are of particular interest.

This Special Issue of Polymers aims to report full research papers, communications, and review articles based on the latest advances in the synthesis, multidirectional modification, characterization, and application of starch derivatives.

Dr. Dagmara Bajer
Guest Editor

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 3554 KiB  
Article
Eco-Friendly, Biodegradable Starch-Based Packaging Materials with Antioxidant Features
by Dagmara Bajer
Polymers 2024, 16(7), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16070958 - 1 Apr 2024
Viewed by 2711
Abstract
Due to the extensive application of petroleum-based plastics as packaging materials and problems related to their degradation/recycling, developing new solutions in the field of novel biopolymer-based materials has become imperative. Natural substitutes for synthetic polymers (starch, cellulose, chitosan) require modifications that enable their [...] Read more.
Due to the extensive application of petroleum-based plastics as packaging materials and problems related to their degradation/recycling, developing new solutions in the field of novel biopolymer-based materials has become imperative. Natural substitutes for synthetic polymers (starch, cellulose, chitosan) require modifications that enable their processing and provide them with additional properties (i.e., mechanical strength, controlled biodeterioration, antimicrobial and antioxidative activity). The antioxidant activity of natural packaging materials still requires further investigation. In this research paper, novel materials used for packaging perishable food susceptible to oxidizing agents were designed from potato starch (NS) reinforced with antioxidants such as dialdehyde starch (DS) and caffeic acid (CA)/quinic acid (QA). The use of spectroscopic techniques (ATR-FTIR, Raman) and X-ray diffraction allowed the examination of the chemical structure and arrangement of the blend and confirmed the component interactions. The film surface was examined by AFM. DS, functioning as a cross-linker, enhanced the film barrier as well as the mechanical and thermal properties, and it promoted starch amorphization when blended with other antioxidants. The antioxidant activity of caffeic acid was greater than that of quinic acid. Dialdehyde starch improves elasticity, whereas acids (particularly caffeic acid) influence film stiffness. A high susceptibility to biodegradation is valuable for potential eco-friendly packaging applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modification and Application of Starch-Based Polymers)
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16 pages, 813 KiB  
Article
Production of Chemically Modified Bio-Based Wood Adhesive from Camote and Cassava Peels
by Anna Mae Rabaca Reotutar, Roselle Yago Mamuad and Angelo Earvin Sy Choi
Polymers 2024, 16(4), 523; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16040523 - 15 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3402
Abstract
Adhesives are significant for manufacturing competent, light, and sturdy goods in various industries. Adhesives are an important part of the modern manufacturing landscape because of their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to enhance product performance. Formaldehyde and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) are conventional adhesives [...] Read more.
Adhesives are significant for manufacturing competent, light, and sturdy goods in various industries. Adhesives are an important part of the modern manufacturing landscape because of their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to enhance product performance. Formaldehyde and polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (PMDI) are conventional adhesives utilized in wood applications and have been classified as carcinogenic, toxic, and unsustainable. Given the adverse environmental and health effects associated with synthetic adhesives, there is a growing research interest aimed at developing environmentally friendly bio-based wood adhesives derived from renewable resources. This study aimed to extract starch from camote and cassava peels and focuses on the oxidization of starch derived from camote and cassava peels using sodium hypochlorite to create bio-based adhesives. The mean yield of starch extracted from camote and cassava peels was 13.19 ± 0.48% and 18.92 ± 0.15%, respectively, while the mean weight of the oxidized starches was 34.80 g and 45.34 g for camote and cassava, respectively. Various starch ratios sourced from camote and cassava peels were examined in the production of bio-based adhesives. The results indicate that the 40:60 camote to cassava ratio yielded the highest solid content, while the 80:20 ratio resulted in the best viscosity. Furthermore, the 40:60 ratio produced the most favorable particle board in terms of mechanical properties, density, thickness, swelling, and water absorption. Consequently, the starch extracted from camote and cassava peels holds promise as a potential source for bio-based adhesives following appropriate chemical modification. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modification and Application of Starch-Based Polymers)
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16 pages, 3818 KiB  
Article
Impact of Oil Addition on Physicochemical Properties and In Vitro Digestibility of Extruded Pineapple Stem Starch
by Juthamath Nisitthichai, Phimraphat Wannaphruek, Jiratthitikan Sriprablom, Manop Suphantharika, Siwaporn Meejoo Smith, Taweechai Amornsakchai and Rungtiwa Wongsagonsup
Polymers 2024, 16(2), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16020210 - 11 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1670
Abstract
The effects of palm oil (PO) and coconut oil (CO) additions on the physicochemical properties and in vitro starch digestibility of extruded pineapple stem starch (PSS) were studied. The native PSS was adjusted to 15% moisture and blended with PO or CO in [...] Read more.
The effects of palm oil (PO) and coconut oil (CO) additions on the physicochemical properties and in vitro starch digestibility of extruded pineapple stem starch (PSS) were studied. The native PSS was adjusted to 15% moisture and blended with PO or CO in amounts of 5 and 10% (w/w of starch), while the control sample without added oil was adjusted to 25% moisture before being extruded with a twin-screw extruder at a maximum barrel temperature of 140 °C. Due to the lubricating effect, the added oils reduced the expansion ratio of the extrudates, which led to an increase in cell wall thickness, bulk density, hardness, and water adsorption index, but to a reduction in the water solubility index, especially with 10% oils. PO had a greater impact on the physicochemical changes in the extrudates than CO. Surprisingly, no amylose-lipid complex was observed in the extrudates with added oil, as shown by XRD, DSC, and FTIR results. The phenolic compounds contained in PSS remained in all extrudates, which could affect the formation of the amylose-lipid complex during extrusion. The addition of 5% oil had no effect on the digestibility of the starch compared to the control extrudates, while the 10% oils, both PO and CO, reduced the rapidly digestible starch content but significantly increased the resistant starch content of the extruded PSS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modification and Application of Starch-Based Polymers)
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Review

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21 pages, 7338 KiB  
Review
Grafting Starch with Acrylic Acid and Fenton’s Initiator: The Selectivity Challenge
by Inge-Willem Noordergraaf, Judy R. Witono and Hero J. Heeres
Polymers 2024, 16(2), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16020255 - 16 Jan 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1860
Abstract
Through the graft polymerization of acrylic monomers onto starch, materials with interesting new properties can be synthesized. Fenton’s chemistry, Fe2+/H2O2, is considered to be attractive for the initiation of graft polymerization with the monomer acrylic acid since [...] Read more.
Through the graft polymerization of acrylic monomers onto starch, materials with interesting new properties can be synthesized. Fenton’s chemistry, Fe2+/H2O2, is considered to be attractive for the initiation of graft polymerization with the monomer acrylic acid since it is cheap and reacts quickly at ambient conditions and should therefore be easy to scale up. However, the selectivity of the grafting versus the homopolymerization reaction poses a challenge with this monomer and this type of initiator. In the present review paper, we investigate why data from the literature on grafting systems with other monomers and initiation systems tend to show higher graft selectivity. A scheme is presented, based on reaction engineering principles, that supports an explanation for these observed differences. It is found that more selective activation of starch is a factor, but perhaps even more important is a low monomer-to-starch ratio at the starting sites of graft reactions. Since water is the most common solvent, monomers that are less water-soluble have an advantage in this respect. Based on the proposed scheme, methods to improve the graft selectivity with Fenton’s initiator and acrylic acid are evaluated. Most promising appears to be a method of gradual monomer dosage. With gelatinized cassava starch in a batch reactor, both the grafting percentage (17 => 29%) and graft selectivity (18 => 31%) could be improved. This can be considered a principal breakthrough. Still, more research and development would be needed to refine the method and to implement the idea in a continuous reactor at a larger scale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modification and Application of Starch-Based Polymers)
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20 pages, 1184 KiB  
Review
Customizing Starch Properties: A Review of Starch Modifications and Their Applications
by Julia Compart, Aakanksha Singh, Joerg Fettke and Ardha Apriyanto
Polymers 2023, 15(16), 3491; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15163491 - 21 Aug 2023
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 9663
Abstract
Starch has been a convenient, economically important polymer with substantial applications in the food and processing industry. However, native starches present restricted applications, which hinder their industrial usage. Therefore, modification of starch is carried out to augment the positive characteristics and eliminate the [...] Read more.
Starch has been a convenient, economically important polymer with substantial applications in the food and processing industry. However, native starches present restricted applications, which hinder their industrial usage. Therefore, modification of starch is carried out to augment the positive characteristics and eliminate the limitations of the native starches. Modifications of starch can result in generating novel polymers with numerous functional and value-added properties that suit the needs of the industry. Here, we summarize the possible starch modifications in planta and outside the plant system (physical, chemical, and enzymatic) and their corresponding applications. In addition, this review will highlight the implications of each starch property adjustment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modification and Application of Starch-Based Polymers)
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