Evaluation of orange peel (Citrus sinensis) bioplastic through morphological and thermo-mechanical characteristics

Objective: To evaluate the morphological and thermo-mechanical properties of a biofilm obtained from orange peel. Design/methodology/approach: Pectin, a polysaccharide obtained from orange peel, has the potential to be used as a raw material in the bioplastics industry. The samples obtained were characterized by the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) technique, mechanical tension and by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results: The elastic modulus was in the range of 7.7 to 29.9 MPa, depending on the plasticizer content. The thermogravimetric analysis showed a thermal decomposition between 134.42 to 153.98 °C depending on the plasticizer content and up to five events were identified. Limitations of the study/implications: During the process, a pectin yield of 75% of orange peel was obtained. Findings/conclusions: In developing countries such as Mexico, waste originating from agricultural and agro-industrial activities represents an important source of natural carbohydrate polymers that can be used to produce bioplastics, intended to replace petroleum-derived materials. In the case of orange peel, it can become a potential raw material to obtain value-added products in sectors of the food industry. These results indicated that our pectin has suitable properties to be used as raw material for the manufacture of bioplastics.Objective: To evaluate the morphological and thermo-mechanical properties of a biofilm obtained from orange peel. Design/methodology/approach: Pectin, a polysaccharide obtained from orange peel, has the potential to be used as a raw material in the bioplastics industry. The samples obtained were characterized by the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) technique, mechanical tension and by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results: The elastic modulus was in the range of 7.7 to 29.9 MPa, depending on the plasticizer content. The thermogravimetric analysis showed a thermal decomposition between 134.42 to 153.98 °C depending on the plasticizer content and up to five events were identified. Limitations of the study/implications: During the process, a pectin yield of 75% of orange peel was obtained. Findings/conclusions: In developing countries such as Mexico, waste originating from agricultural and agro-industrial activities represents an important source of natural carbohydrate polymers that can be used to produce bioplastics, intended to replace petroleum-derived materials. In the case of orange peel, it can become a potential raw material to obtain value-added products in sectors of the food industry. These results indicated that our pectin has suitable properties to be used as raw material for the manufacture of bioplastic

Biopelículas a base de pectina de cáscara de naranja (Citrus sinensis): Caracterización física, química y estructural

La naranja es uno de los cultivos con mayor plantación en México y se visualiza un crecimiento para los próximos años. Derivado de las actividades de la agroindustria se producen residuos de cáscara de naranja, la cual por su alto contenido de pectina es apropiado para obtener bioplásticos, el cual es el objetivo principal de este trabajo. La extracción de la pectina se realizó mediante hidrólisis ácida, utilizando ácido cítrico al 0,1% y como agente plastificante glicerol a concentraciones de 3%, 4% y 5% para determinar la resistencia y rigidez óptima de la biopelícula. Se obtuvieron biopelículas flexibles, libres de poros y espacios intersticiales en la superficie del material. La biopelícula con composición de glicerol al 5% presentó características uniformes, con mejor flexibilidad y apariencia física en comparación con los de 3% y 4%. Mediante el análisis del FTIR se determinó que el polímero (pectina) mostró una banda característica de absorción del grupo -OH a 3300 cm-1, del grupo C-O a 1023 cm-1 y para el grupo COOH a 1732 cm-1 característica de un material biodegradable. De acuerdo con el análisis elemental de la biopelícula, se encontró que está compuesta por C, H, N y S, lo cual lo hace un material biodegradable no tóxico y amigable con el ambiente

Biopelículas a base de pectina de cáscara de naranja (Citrus sinensis): Caracterización física, química y estructural

The orange is one of the crops with the largest plantation in Mexico and growth is expected in the coming years. Derived from agroindustrial activities, orange peel residues are produced, which due to its high pectin content is suitable for obtaining bioplastics, which is the main objective of this work. Pectin extraction was carried out by acid hydrolysis, using 0.1% citric acid and glycerol as plasticizing agent at concentrations of 3%, 4%and 5% to determine the optimal strength and rigidity of the biofilm. Flexible biofilms, free of pores and interstitial spaces, were obtained on the surface of material. The biofilm with a 5% glycerol composition presented uniform characteristics, with better flexibility and physical appearance compared to those of 3%and 4%. Through the FTIR analysis it was determined that the polymer (pectin) showed a characteristic absorption band of the -OH group at 1023 cm-1and for the COOH group at 1732 cm-1characteristic of biodegradable material. According to elementary analysis of the biofilm, we found that composition is C, H, N and S, which make it a non-toxic biodegradable material and environmentallyfriendly.La naranja es uno de los cultivos con mayor plantación en México y se visualiza un crecimiento para los próximos años. Derivado de las actividades de la agroindustria se producen residuos de cáscara de naranja, la cual por su alto contenido de pectina es apropiado para obtener bioplásticos, el cual es el objetivo principal de este trabajo. La extracción de la pectina se realizó mediante hidrólisis ácida, utilizando ácido cítrico al 0,1% y como agente plastificante glicerol a concentraciones de 3%, 4% y 5% para determinar la resistencia y rigidez óptima de la biopelícula. Se obtuvieron biopelículas flexibles, libres de poros y espacios intersticiales en la superficie del material. La biopelícula con composición de glicerol al 5% presentó características uniformes, con mejor flexibilidad y apariencia física en comparación con los de 3% y 4%. Mediante el análisis del FTIR se determinó que el polímero (pectina) mostró una banda característica de absorción del grupo -OH a 3300 cm-1, del grupo C-O a 1023 cm-1 y para el grupo COOH a 1732 cm-1 característica de un material biodegradable. De acuerdo con el análisis elemental de la biopelícula, se encontró que está compuesta por C, H, N y S, lo cual lo hace un material biodegradable no tóxico y amigable con el ambiente