Development of biodegradable films with antioxidant properties based on polyesters containing α-tocopherol and olive leaf extract for food packaging applications

Biodegradable films with antioxidant properties based on Ecoflex® and Ecoflex®-polylactic acid (PLA) containing α-tocopherol and olive leaf extract were developed by blown film extrusion. There was a good recovery of tocopherol from Ecoflex films (98-112%). Oleuropein and oleuroside were the main antioxidants detected in the studied olive leaf extract. A reduction of oleuropein content (21-33%) and an increase of oleuroside (14-31%) were observed in Ecoflex and Ecoflex/PLA films. All the films showed antioxidant capacity in vitro. The films containing tocopherol exhibited higher antioxidant activity than the films containing olive leaf extract. The incorporation of both antioxidants gave a coloured taint to the films. The films containing olive leaf extract showed the highest colour changes (δ. E). Films containing 2.8% of antioxidants showed increased elongation at break (EB), however at higher antioxidant concentrations reductions of tensile strength and EB were observed. These results confirmed the feasibility to produce antioxidant films with Ecoflex and Ecoflex/PLA blend. However, the concentration of antioxidant that can be added to the films is constrained by the changes induced on the physical properties. The weak interaction between the antioxidants and the polymer matrix would provide a material suitable for food products with a short shelf life.</p

Medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate produced from ethanol by Pseudomonas putida grown in liquid obtained from acidogenic digestion of organic municipal solid waste

Production of medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) up to about 6 g.L−1 was obtained by feeding ethanol to Pseudomonas putida growing in liquid obtained from acidogenic digestion of organic municipal solid waste. Washing the wet, heat-inactivated Pseudomonas cells at the end of the fermentation with ethanol obviated the need of drying the biomass and enabled the removal of contaminating lipids before solvent-mediated extraction of PHA. Using ‘green’ solvents, 90 to near 100% of the mcl-PHA was extracted and purities of 71–78% mcl-PHA were reached already by centrifugation and decantation without further filtration for biomass removal. The mcl-PHA produced in this way consists of 10–18% C8, 72–78% C10 and 8–12% C12 chains (entirely medium chain length), has a crystallinity and melting temperature of ∼13% and ∼49 °C, respectively, and is a stiff rubberlike, colourless material at room temperature

Development of biodegradable films with antioxidant properties based on polyesters containing α-tocopherol and olive leaf extract for food packaging applications

Biodegradable films with antioxidant properties based on Ecoflex® and Ecoflex®-polylactic acid (PLA) containing α-tocopherol and olive leaf extract were developed by blown film extrusion. There was a good recovery of tocopherol from Ecoflex films (98-112%). Oleuropein and oleuroside were the main antioxidants detected in the studied olive leaf extract. A reduction of oleuropein content (21-33%) and an increase of oleuroside (14-31%) were observed in Ecoflex and Ecoflex/PLA films. All the films showed antioxidant capacity in vitro. The films containing tocopherol exhibited higher antioxidant activity than the films containing olive leaf extract. The incorporation of both antioxidants gave a coloured taint to the films. The films containing olive leaf extract showed the highest colour changes (ΔE). Films containing 2.8% of antioxidants showed increased elongation at break (EB), however at higher antioxidant concentrations reductions of tensile strength and EB were observed. These results confirmed the feasibility to produce antioxidant films with Ecoflex and Ecoflex/PLA blend. However, the concentration of antioxidant that can be added to the films is constrained by the changes induced on the physical properties. The weak interaction between the antioxidants and the polymer matrix would provide a material suitable for food products with a short shelf life

An environmental assessment of biorefining of rubber dandelion to rubber and bioplastic

‘DRIVE4EU - Dandelion Rubber and Inulin Valorization and Exploitation for Europe’, a demonstration project, aims at the development of a value chain for natural rubber and inulin from Rubber dandelions. The objective of the project is to set up a new European chain for the production and processing of natural rubber. This will enable the EU to become less dependent on the import of natural rubber and at the same time to respond to the threat of a global rubber shortage. The viability of using Rubber dandelions for rubber and inulin for bioplastics (PEF – Polyethylene Furanoate) production depends on the sustainability of this new value chain. Within the project an environmental assessment using the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is performed. The aim is to identify, quantify and assess the most important environmental impacts and benefits of rubber and inulin from Rubber dandelion based on the whole value chain. Within the LCA scientific environmental indicators (e.g. global warming potential, cumulated primary energy demand, land use, water use, and acidification) will be used to guide the development of the DRIVE4EU value chain to realize the highest possible sustainability in comparison to a substituted reference system (natural rubber from Hevea tree and PET from fossil resources). The combination of natural rubber and inulin makes Rubber dandelion very interesting as a production platform

An environmental assessment of biorefining of rubber dandelion to rubber and bioplastic

‘DRIVE4EU - Dandelion Rubber and Inulin Valorization and Exploitation for Europe’, a demonstration project, aims at the development of a value chain for natural rubber and inulin from Rubber dandelions. The objective of the project is to set up a new European chain for the production and processing of natural rubber. This will enable the EU to become less dependent on the import of natural rubber and at the same time to respond to the threat of a global rubber shortage. The viability of using Rubber dandelions for rubber and inulin for bioplastics (PEF – Polyethylene Furanoate) production depends on the sustainability of this new value chain. Within the project an environmental assessment using the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is performed. The aim is to identify, quantify and assess the most important environmental impacts and benefits of rubber and inulin from Rubber dandelion based on the whole value chain. Within the LCA scientific environmental indicators (e.g. global warming potential, cumulated primary energy demand, land use, water use, and acidification) will be used to guide the development of the DRIVE4EU value chain to realize the highest possible sustainability in comparison to a substituted reference system (natural rubber from Hevea tree and PET from fossil resources). The combination of natural rubber and inulin makes Rubber dandelion very interesting as a production platform