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Food Industry Wastes and By-Products in Polymer Technology
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Food Industry Wastes and By-Products in Polymer Technology

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymeric Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2024) | Viewed by 12348

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Aleksander Hejna

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Polymer Technology, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
Interests: polymer composites; reactive processing; lignocellulose fillers; filler modification; recycling; waste management; polyurethane foams
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The journal Materials is preparing a Special Issue entitled “Food Industry Wastes and By-Products in Polymer Technology”.

Nowadays, food industry generates huge amounts of by-products and wastes. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the global volume of food wastage is estimated at 1.6 billion tonnes of "primary product equivalents." Moreover, significant amounts of non-edible by-products are generated during processing and manufacturing of various food products, for example fruits. Processing of pinneaple, banana, mango or grapes generates from 30 to even 45 wt% of by-products. On the other hand, during manufacturing of roasted coffee over 50 wt% of the fresh coffee cherry is discarded and treated as waste. Going further, production of one hectoliter of beer generates almost 7 kg of brewers’ spent grain – solid lignocellulose waste. Considering the global production volume in the food sector, huge amounts of by-products are generated and often not recycled. Majority of them, especially considering plant-based lignocellulose materials may be incorporated into polymer technology, mainly as fillers for polymer composites, but also as antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, plasticizers or colorants. Having in mind the ongoing trends and law regulations related to the environmental impact of polymer technology, application of food industry by-products may reduce the use of synthetic compounds. Also, incorporation of raw materials originated from natural sources may enhance the biodegradability of polymer materials.

Because of the richness of potential innovations and future developments, the Editors are pleased to launch this Special Issue and invite researchers to contribute their original research papers and reviews on applications of food industry by-products as potential fillers for polymer composites.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Treatment of food industry by-products aimed at their application in polymer technology;
  • Extraction of the specific compounds from food industry by-products;
  • Manufacturing of polymer composites containing food industry by-products;
  • Compatibility and interfacial interactions in polymer composites containing food industry by-products;
  • Structure–property relationships of polymer composites containing food industry by-products;
  • Biodegradation of polymer materials containing food industry by-products;
  • Antioxidant, antimicrobial or antifungal properties of food industry by-products;
  • Novel applications of food industry by-products in polymer technology;
  • Assessment of the environmental impacts of polymer materials containing food industry by-products;
  • Recycling of polymer composites containing food industry by-products.

Dr. Aleksander Hejna
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 4220 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Polyaniline Emeraldine Salt (PANI-ES) Colloids Using Potato Starch as a Stabilizer to Enhance the Physicochemical Properties and Processability
by Soufiane Boudjelida, Xue Li, Souad Djellali, Giampiero Chiappetta, Francesca Russo, Alberto Figoli and Mauro Carraro
Materials 2024, 17(12), 2941; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17122941 - 15 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1090
Abstract
Conductive polymers, such as polyaniline (PANI), have interesting applications, ranging from flexible electronics, energy storage devices, sensors, antistatic or anticorrosion coatings, etc. However, the full exploitation of conductive polymers still poses a challenge due to their low processability. The use of compatible stabilizers [...] Read more.
Conductive polymers, such as polyaniline (PANI), have interesting applications, ranging from flexible electronics, energy storage devices, sensors, antistatic or anticorrosion coatings, etc. However, the full exploitation of conductive polymers still poses a challenge due to their low processability. The use of compatible stabilizers to obtain dispersible and stable colloids is among the possible solutions to overcome such drawbacks. In this work, potato starch was used as a steric stabilizer for the preparation of colloidal polyaniline (emeraldine salt, ES)/starch composites by exploiting the oxidative polymerization of aniline in aqueous solutions with various starch-to-aniline ratios. The polyaniline/starch bio-composites were subjected to structural, spectroscopic, thermal, morphological, and electrochemical analyses. The samples were then tested for their dispersibility/solubility in a range of organic solvents. The results demonstrated the formation of PANI/starch biocomposites with a smaller average size than starch particles, showing improved aqueous dispersion and enhanced solubility in organic solvents. With respect to previously reported PANI-EB (emeraldine base)/starch composites, the novel colloids displayed a lower overall crystallinity, but the conductive nature of PANI-ES enhanced its electrochemical properties, resulting in richer redox chemistry, particularly evident in its oxidation behavior, as observed through cyclic voltammetry. Finally, as proof of the improved processability, the colloids were successfully integrated into a thin polyether sulfone (PES) membrane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Industry Wastes and By-Products in Polymer Technology)
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14 pages, 1560 KiB  
Article
Biocomposites Based on Wheat Flour with Urea-Based Eutectic Plasticizer and Spent Coffee Grounds: Preparation, Physicochemical Characterization, and Study of Their Influence on Plant Growth
by Magdalena Zdanowicz, Marta Rokosa, Magdalena Pieczykolan, Adrian Krzysztof Antosik and Katarzyna Skórczewska
Materials 2024, 17(5), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17051212 - 6 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1354
Abstract
In this study, we conducted the first plasticization of wheat flour (WF) with the addition of choline chloride:urea (1:5 molar ratio) eutectic mixture as a plasticizer and spent coffee grounds (cf) as a filler. Thermoplastic wheat flour (TPWF) films were obtained via twin-screw [...] Read more.
In this study, we conducted the first plasticization of wheat flour (WF) with the addition of choline chloride:urea (1:5 molar ratio) eutectic mixture as a plasticizer and spent coffee grounds (cf) as a filler. Thermoplastic wheat flour (TPWF) films were obtained via twin-screw extrusion and then thermocompression. Their physicochemical characterization included mechanical tests, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and sorption tests. XRD analysis revealed that the eutectic plasticizer led to a high degree of WF amorphization, which affected the physicochemical properties of TPWF. The results indicated that it was easy for the TPWF biocomposites to undergo thermocompression even with a high amount of the filler (20 pph per flour). The addition of the cf into TPWF led to an increase in tensile strength and a decrease in the swelling degree of the biocomposites. Biodegradation tests in soil revealed that the materials wholly degraded within 11 weeks. Moreover, a study of cultivated plants indicated that the biocomposites did not exhibit a toxic influence on the model rowing plant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Industry Wastes and By-Products in Polymer Technology)
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20 pages, 10346 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Impact of Sepiolite-Based Bio-Pigment Infused with Indigo Extract on Appearance and Durability of Water-Based White Primer
by Massimo Calovi and Stefano Rossi
Materials 2024, 17(4), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040941 - 18 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1147
Abstract
The objective of this study is to evaluate how two varying amounts of sepiolite-based powder, infused with indigo extract, affect the appearance and durability of a water-based, white primer. To examine the influence of this eco-friendly pigment on the coatings’ overall appearance, assessments [...] Read more.
The objective of this study is to evaluate how two varying amounts of sepiolite-based powder, infused with indigo extract, affect the appearance and durability of a water-based, white primer. To examine the influence of this eco-friendly pigment on the coatings’ overall appearance, assessments were performed for color, gloss, and surface roughness. Additionally, the coatings were investigated through optical and electron microscopic observations, to evaluate the distribution of the pigment within the polymer matrix. The effect of the pigment on the coating’s durability was assessed through accelerated tests, including exposure in a salt spray chamber and a UV-B chamber. These tests aimed to evaluate the emergence of defects and changes in the appearance of the samples over time. Furthermore, the impact of different quantities of sepiolite-based powder on the coating’s ability to act as a barrier was assessed using liquid resistance tests and contact angle measurements. These evaluations aimed to understand how the coating responded to various liquids and its surface properties concerning repellency or absorption. In essence, this study underscores the considerable influence of the eco-friendly pigment, demonstrating its capacity to introduce unique color and texture variations in the paint. Moreover, the inclusion of the pigment has enhanced the coating’s color stability, its ability to act as a barrier, and its overall durability when exposed to harsh environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Industry Wastes and By-Products in Polymer Technology)
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16 pages, 5250 KiB  
Article
Wood-Poly(furfuryl Alcohol) Prepreg: A Novel, Ecofriendly Laminate Composite
by Andrey Pereira Acosta, Bruno Esteves, Joziel Aparecido da Cruz, Arthur Behenck Aramburu, Agnė Kairytė, Sylwia Członka, Dionatan Orestes Ramos, Matheus de Paula Goularte, Rafael de Avila Delucis, Darci Alberto Gatto and Sandro Campos Amico
Materials 2023, 16(18), 6237; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16186237 - 15 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1640
Abstract
Prepregs are commonly fabricated with non-renewable petroleum-based materials. To reduce the impact of the manufacturing of these materials and to produce more sustainable prepregs, this research aims to manufacture poly(furfuryl alcohol)/wood veneer prepregs and their posterior molding in laminate composites. For this purpose, [...] Read more.
Prepregs are commonly fabricated with non-renewable petroleum-based materials. To reduce the impact of the manufacturing of these materials and to produce more sustainable prepregs, this research aims to manufacture poly(furfuryl alcohol)/wood veneer prepregs and their posterior molding in laminate composites. For this purpose, the vacuum infusion process was used to impregnate the wood veneers, and compression molding was applied to manufacture three- and four-layer laminate composites. Scanning electronic microscopy was used to evaluate the impregnation. the laminate manufacturing and differential scanning calorimetry were used to predict the shelf-life of the prepregs, Fourier-transform infrared was used to evaluate the induced hydrolysis resistance, and thermogravimetric analysis was used to determine the thermal degradation of the laminates. Moreover, water uptake and flexural, compressive, and tensile properties were evaluated. The kinetic models were effective and showed a shelf life for the laminates of approximately 30 days in storage at −7 °C, which is an interesting result for laminates with lignocellulosic materials. FTIR proved the laminates’ excellent resistance to hydrolysis. The water absorption, thermal stability, and mechanical properties did not differ as the amount of wood veneer increased, but these results were up to ~40% higher compared with unidirectional wood laminates found in the literature, which is probably linked to the excellent interface observed with SEM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Industry Wastes and By-Products in Polymer Technology)
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15 pages, 3695 KiB  
Article
A Study on Byproducts in the High-Pressure Melamine Production Process
by Michał Walczak, Marcin Lemanowicz, Krzysztof Dziuba and Robert Kubica
Materials 2023, 16(17), 5795; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16175795 - 24 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1876
Abstract
The industrial production of melamine is carried out by the thermal decomposition of urea in two technological processes, using high or low pressure. The reaction may be accompanied by the formation of undesirable byproducts, oxoaminotriazines, and so-called polycondensates, mainly melam, melem, and melon, [...] Read more.
The industrial production of melamine is carried out by the thermal decomposition of urea in two technological processes, using high or low pressure. The reaction may be accompanied by the formation of undesirable byproducts, oxoaminotriazines, and so-called polycondensates, mainly melam, melem, and melon, as well as their hydrates and adducts. Their presence leads to the deterioration of the quality of the final product and may lead to the release of troublesome deposits inside the apparatus of the product’s separation node. With the limited possibility of controlling the crystallization of the byproducts of the process, improving the technological process requires the precise determination of the composition of the separated insoluble reaction byproducts, which is the main objective of this work. This work presents the results of qualitative and quantitative analyses of the composition of deposits sampled in the technological process of melamine production. The full characterization of the deposits was performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) techniques. The elemental analysis (EA) of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen allowed us to obtain characteristic C/H, C/N, and H/N ratios. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy were also performed to confirm the obtained data. In addition, the morphology of the solid byproducts of the reaction was investigated, and the characteristics of the structures were determined using a scanning electron microscope. The elemental composition was investigated using scanning electron microscopy and the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) technique. The key finding of this research is that about 95% of the deposits are a mixture of melem and melem hydrate. The soluble part of the deposits contains melamine, urea, and oxyaminotriazines, as well as trace inorganic impurities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Industry Wastes and By-Products in Polymer Technology)
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Review

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32 pages, 3365 KiB  
Review
Risks Associated with the Presence of Polyvinyl Chloride in the Environment and Methods for Its Disposal and Utilization
by Marcin H. Kudzin, Dominika Piwowarska, Natalia Festinger and Jerzy J. Chruściel
Materials 2024, 17(1), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17010173 - 28 Dec 2023
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4383
Abstract
Plastics have recently become an indispensable part of everyone’s daily life due to their versatility, durability, light weight, and low production costs. The increasing production and use of plastics poses great environmental problems due to their incomplete utilization, a very long period of [...] Read more.
Plastics have recently become an indispensable part of everyone’s daily life due to their versatility, durability, light weight, and low production costs. The increasing production and use of plastics poses great environmental problems due to their incomplete utilization, a very long period of biodegradation, and a negative impact on living organisms. Decomposing plastics lead to the formation of microplastics, which accumulate in the environment and living organisms, becoming part of the food chain. The contamination of soils and water with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) seriously threatens ecosystems around the world. Their durability and low weight make microplastic particles easily transported through water or air, ending up in the soil. Thus, the problem of microplastic pollution affects the entire ecosystem. Since microplastics are commonly found in both drinking and bottled water, humans are also exposed to their harmful effects. Because of existing risks associated with the PVC microplastic contamination of the ecosystem, intensive research is underway to develop methods to clean and remove it from the environment. The pollution of the environment with plastic, and especially microplastic, results in the reduction of both water and soil resources used for agricultural and utility purposes. This review provides an overview of PVC’s environmental impact and its disposal options. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Industry Wastes and By-Products in Polymer Technology)
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