Starch-based foam composite materials: Processing and bioproducts

Starch-based biodegradable materials: Challenges and opportunities

Effects of ultrasonic and chemical dual modification treatments on the structural, and properties of cornstarch

Chapter 8 - Algae-based bioplastics: Expanding algal polymers as materials for industrial applications

Research into natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFRCs) has intensified because society demands sustainable biodegradable substitutes for synthetic composites. This paper investigates plant-based natural fibres from cultivation up until extraction, followed by chemical treatments before manufacturing stages, while analyzing their resulting mechanical and thermal characteristics. This paper specifically investigates NFRCs crashworthiness through examinations of failure modes and energy absorption mechanisms together with investigations of structural geometry and fibre volume fraction and orientation effects. The study explains different manufacturing processes, including hand lay-up and compression molding, as well as vacuum bagging and bladder molding, because their influence on mechanical performance needs assessment. Current research approaches the following issues: weak bond strength between fibre and matrix, and moisture sensitivity, while outlining future perspectives that focus on advanced chemical transformation and bio-resin combination approaches. The comprehensive guide provides instructions for selecting materials along with designing structures for energy-absorbing lightweight solutions and environmentally friendly applications in the transportation and aerospace industries.

Recently, environmental problems caused by petroleum-based plastics have been increasing. Therefore, researchers have begun to investigate new materials that may be alternatives to plastics. Bioplastics are considered as green materials alternatives to plastics and they are produced from renewable resources such as corn and potatoes, or microorganisms under certain conditions. In addition, most researchers are concerned with renewable resources for non-food using, such as bioplastic production. For this reason, researchers have been focusing on the utilization of the wastes as bioplastic products. In this study, the bioplastic was produced from potato peel as the food industry waste. Also, some properties of the produced bioplastic such as water absorption capacity and biodegradability were analyzed. Furthermore, water absorption capacity and biodegradability of a commercial bioplastic were also determined in order for the comparison with the one produced from potato peel waste in different conditions. It was found that the produced potato peel bioplastic (PPB) had higher water absorption capacity than commercial bioplastic (CB). Therefore, PPB may not be used in the food service industry but can be used as packing material. Biodegradability tests showed that PPB biodegraded at about 71% in moist soil and 100% in vermicompost within four weeks. On the other hand, it was determined that CB was not degraded in the soil or in the compost in four weeks. Therefore, as a food industry waste, potato peel can be used in biodegradable bioplastic production. In this way, petroleum-based plastic pollution may be decreased both in Turkey and the world.

A 3D printing filament was fabricated from poly(lactic acid) (PLA), cassava pulp (CP), and epoxy using a twin-screw extruder. Several bio-composites were synthesized by varying the amount of epoxy (0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, and 10.0 wt.%). The size of the CP fibers significantly affected the surface quality, filament diameter, and mechanical properties of the final product. The smallest fiber size (45 µm) provided a smooth surface and consistent diameter. Incorporating 1 wt.% of epoxy into PLA/CP enhanced the tensile strength (56.6 MPa), elongation at break (6.2%), and hydrophobicity of the composite. The composite mechanical properties deteriorated at epoxy contents above 1 wt.% due to the amplified plasticizer effect of excessive epoxy. The optimized PLA/CP/epoxy formulation was used to generate the 3D filament. The resultant filament displayed a tensile strength of 64.6 MPa and elongation at break of 9.8%, attributed to the fine morphology achieved via thorough mixing provided by the twin-screw extruder. Epoxide-mediated crosslinking between PLA and CP enabled the development of a novel 3D printing filament with excellent mechanical properties. This research illustrates how agricultural residues can be upcycled into high-performance biomaterials with innovation in sustainable manufacturing, inclusive economic growth, reducing reliance on petroleum-based plastics and thus providing benefits regarding human health, climate change mitigation, plastic in the ocean, and environmental impacts.

Fresh-cut foods have become highly popular as these commodities are convenient to manage with premium freshness and quality. However, the shelf life of fresh-cut potatoes is limited. The traditional practice consists of a set of operations including washing, peeling, slicing, chemical treatment, packing, and storage. Besides, various chemical or synthetic additives are being applied to tackle quality-related issues such as browning, textural degradation, microbial spoilage, and shelf-life stability. Nevertheless, the demand for natural additives and nonthermal preservation techniques has increased with growing concerns about the potential health risks of chemical additives. This review paper discusses the use of various synthetic and natural food additives alone or in combination with the emerging nonthermal technologies for enhancing the quality characteristics of fresh-cut potatoes. Overall, the nonthermal processing technologies including sonication, cold plasma, high-pressure processing, ultraviolet, and pulsed electric field would be promising treatments for the fresh-cut food industry compared with conventional approaches. Practical applications Fresh-cut potato is highly susceptible to microbial spoilage and undergoes rapid loss of quality due to high moisture content and rapid metabolic rate. Researchers are exploring alternative nonthermal processing technologies for producing shelf-stable food products using a clean label approach. This review covers some recent advances concerning the use of chemical compounds, including plant natural antimicrobials and antioxidants, as well as nonthermal technologies for the quality maintenance of fresh-cut potato. These technologies are known to be safe, cost-effective, and can be upscaled for use in existing processing lines of the food industry.

Hurdle technology is a combination of different preservation factors and/or technologies to produce high quality, safe and in many cases, shelf-stable food products. Incorporation of nonthermal processing technologies in hurdle combinations is of great interest due to their lethal effect on vegetative bacteria, yeasts, and molds, while maintaining the nutritional and organoleptic properties of the original food products. Each preservation method has its pros and cons depending on the processing parameters and food matrix. Thus, the hurdle approach is a promising strategy to avoid the limitations of most of the processing technologies. This approach enhances the lethality, reduces the cost, treatment intensity and/or time compared to the individual application of a stress factor. In this chapter, the combinations of some of the most common nonthermal technologies, such as high pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound, and light-based technologies with conventional hurdles (i.e. heat, pH, antimicrobials) are reviewed and explained, and given emphasis to the microbial inactivation in selected food products.

The main focused aim of developing new processing and manufacturing technologies are to reduce production or manufacturing costs, processing times, and to enhance manufactured product properties. The developed processing techniques should be widely acceptable for all types of materials including metal matrix composites, ceramics, alloys, and fiber reinforced plastics. Microwave materials processing is emerging as a novel processing technology which is applicable to a wide variety of materials system including processing of MMC, FRP, alloys, ceramics, metals, powder metallurgy, material joining, coatings, and claddings. In comparison to the conventional processes, microwave processing of materials offers better mechanical properties with reduced defects and economical advantages in terms of power and time savings. The present review work focuses mainly on global developments taking place in the field of microwave processing of materials and their relevant industrial applications.

BackgroundThe global demand for plant-based foods has increased interests to new plant-based materials and processing strategies. Plant protein-polyphenol interactions driven by covalent and/or non-covalent bonds are known to impact sensorial, physicochemical, and functional properties of plant-based foods. Emerging processing technologies have potential to enhance plant protein functionality by promoting protein structural changes owing to plant protein-polyphenol interactions. The latest trends in processing technologies for plant protein-polyphenol interactions and the impact on protein functionality are of interest in food industry. Scope and approachThis review highlights plant protein-polyphenol interactions induced by physical and chemical processing technologies and the improvement in functionality of plant proteins subject to changes in protein structure. It presents plant protein-polyphenol interactions subject to protein and polyphenol type, the recent development of physicochemical treatments, examples in food applications, and future research directions. Key findings and conclusionsThe interaction dynamics between plant proteins and polyphenols are contingent on pH levels and processing technologies. Covalent plant protein-polyphenol conjugates could induce a more significant structural rearrangement of proteins than non-covalent interactions, leading to a greater impact on protein functionality. The addition of polyphenols generally augments protein functionality, often leading to a more unordered and unfolded structure of proteins. Physical and chemical treatments including ultrasound, self-assembly, polysaccharide addition, and combined treatments are promising methods to reinforce plant protein-polyphenol interactions and to improve the protein functionality, advancing the quality, safety, and preservation of nutrients. This critical examination of plant protein-polyphenol interactions provides insights into desirable processing technology of plant proteins in food.

Cold plasma as an emerging nonthermal technology for food processing: A comprehensive review

The article provides an overview of modern methods of processing mining and metallurgical waste to obtain functional materials such as silicon, rare earth metals, nanoporous silica and other valuable components. The technologies of processing and purification, including hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processes, as well as their applicability to various types of waste generated in the mining and metallurgical complex are considered. Special attention is paid to the environmental aspects and economic efficiency of waste recycling, as well as the possibilities of implementing waste-free processes that reduce environmental pollution. Examples of successful implementation of innovative technologies are given and prospects for the use of recycled materials in various industries are described. The authors emphasize the importance of implementing waste-free processes to reduce environmental pollution. The article also discusses methods for the extraction and processing of silicon and silica, which can significantly improve the properties of the final products. Innovative technologies for processing waste from mining and metallurgical production contribute not only to reducing the volume of waste but also to the creation of new economically profitable materials. The study aims to draw attention to the importance of waste recycling and demonstrates the potential of their use as valuable raw materials, which contributes to sustainable development and efficient use of natural resources. The authors also discuss the prospects for further development of recycling technologies, including the development of new methods and optimization of existing processes, which will increase efficiency and reduce waste recycling costs.

The role of hydrodynamic cavitation in tuning physicochemical properties of food items: A comprehensive review

Chapter 18 Shear-Induced dispersion of particle agglomerates

The products from paper are widely used materials with several benefits. The corrugated paper keeps items protected through long-distance logistic processes and constant shipping and handling. The corrugated boxboards are ideal options for any industry’s shipping, packaging and storage needs. Papers and cardboards are quite low cost and also provide environmental-friendly solutions, using recyclable materials such as used corrugated cartons and old newspapers. Recycling offers a reduction in environmental impact in densely populated regions and a large production of paper and board products. Generally, the use of recycled fiber produces paper with poorer mechanical properties due to the decrease in the interfiber bonding. The recycled pulp must be treated to restore its bonding strength, for which there are six methods possible: mechanical treatment, chemical additives, chemical treatment, fractionation, papermaking process modification and blending with virgin fiber. Although some mills produce 100% recycled paper, the majority augment their used pulp with some virgin fiber. Paper properties can be tailored within some ranges by modifying the properties of fibers, but the influence of fine quality on structure, strength and optical properties of paper can be even greater. The properties of papers are essentially determined by their raw materials. Most of these raw materials are made from 100% recycled fiber, but as the quality of the waste fiber varies, different chemicals must be used to provide the desired or expected properties. From an environmental and economic point of view, the use of primary fibers can be an alternative.