Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
degrading different materials. It may be relevant for rapid preliminary tests
to evaluate the biodegradability of new developing formulations.
There are some reports stating that PHB and PCL when molded by hot
compression become more susceptible to fungi attack. PHB's and PCL's
biodegradability under composting at different pHs was also evaluated after
irradiation with UV-B. Only one specific irradiation and pH condition increased
biodegradation. For all cases, PHB showed a greater mass loss than PCL.
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It is essential to have a safe process during the whole bioplastic life cycle.
PHB has been described as ''the first real thermoplastic example obtained
from a biotechnological process'' that is actually biodegradable. Although
PHB is stable in a natural environment, its degradability rate is very high
under processing and fusion conditions.
Biopolymer production plant integration (PHB as an example) with a sugar
mill offers unique advantages, from an economic perspective and for being
an environmentally safe process, once sugar mills have energy availability
(thermal and electric) from renewable energy sources—they are almost free
in Brazil. For example, processing sugarcane bagasse uses an ecient
management system, uses agricultural and industrial waste, uses extensive
knowledge and the availability of large-scale fermentation processes. It also
uses natural and biodegradable solvents.
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9.2.5 PHA Use in Food Packaging
The main functions of packaging are to contain, to protect, to be convenient,
to communicate and to sell a product.
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These functions' definitions are
as follows:
.
(i) Containment: this is the basic function of the package, to contain a
certain amount of food, unitizing the product and facilitating its
transportation, storage, sale and use.
(ii) Protection: this is the primary function of the package, acting as a
barrier between the food and the external environment, protecting it
against
environmental
factors
that
could accelerate product
degradation.
(iii) Convenience: modern industrialized societies have brought about
enormous changes in life styles and the packaging industry has had
to respond to those changes. Today, packaging is an increasingly
versatile and functional tool for users and consumers.
(iv) Communication: the package may have useful information for con-
sumers, such as product identification, amount and composition,
directions
for
use, warnings
(allergens)
and
sustainability
information.
(v) Selling: the first visual contact with the product is through the
packaging and it has an important effect on the consumers' purchase
decision. In addition, the packaging should be attractive and allow
rapid product identification by the consumers.
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