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Polymers, Additives and Reinforcements from Upgraded Wastes from the Food Industry and Agroforestry

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A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2024) | Viewed by 16721

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Prof. Dr. Rafael Antonio Balart Gimeno

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Technological Institute of Materials (ITM), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), 03801 Alcoy, Spain
Interests: aliphatic polyesters; blends; compatibilization; advanced characterization; functional additives; unsaturated polyester resins; composites
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Prof. Dr. Pablo Marcelo Stefani

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Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Av. Colón 10850, Mar del Plata 7600, Argentina
Interests: biobased thermosetting polymers; foams; soy-based polymers; waste valorization; natural-fiber-reinforced plastics; biocomposites; green composites; natural additives

Dr. Franco Dominici

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Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile e Ambientale, Università di Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy
Interests: high-performance polymers; nanoparticle additives for plastic formulations; biodegradation of polymers; polymer composites; biopolyesters; advanced manufacturing; composites
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Dr. Marina Patricia Arrieta Dillon

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Departamento de Ingeniería Química Industrial y del Medio Ambiente, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (ETSII-UPM), Calle José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Interests: food packaging; biodegradable polymers; composites; nanocomposites; active materials; natural polymers
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Dr. Luís Jesús Quiles Carrillo

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Technological Institute of Materials (ITM), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Valencia, Spain
Interests: polymer processing; biobased and biodegradable polymers; wood plastic composites; mechanical and thermal characterization; biodegradation; green composites; advanced characterization; functional additives
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, sustainable development has become a key topic and, of course, the polymer industry has been giving solutions to achieve this goal. The transition from traditional “linear economies” to “circular economies” has revealed the relevance of wastes as base materials to generate high-added-value products. The food industry and the agroforestry industry generate huge amounts of waste that can be the source of additives and/or reinforcements for the polymer industry. Moreover, most of these wastes or by-products are polymer-based structures (polysaccharides, proteins, lignins, among others) which can be helpful in this transition to a “circular economy”. The food and agroforestry wastes can be the source for a wide variety of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and fats, phenolics, and other extractives that can positively contribute to a more sustainable development in the polymer industry. In addition, biomass from wastes can be used in bacterial fermentation to provide new biobased polymers. Despite the recent advances in waste valorization, there is still an increasing interest to upgrade wastes at industrial scale.
This Special Issue aims to cover all topics related to novel, original, and cutting-edge research works focused on obtaining high-added-value polymers and/or additives from wastes derived from the food industry and agroforestry. Thus, contributions concerning not only their sustainable origin, extraction, and purification, but also their prospective obtainment, production, design, and processing at an industrial level are particularly welcome.

Prof. Dr. Rafael Antonio Balart Gimeno
Prof. Dr. Pablo Stefani
Dr. Franco Dominici
Dr. Marina Patricia Arrieta Dillon
Dr. Luís Jesús Quiles Carrillo
Guest Editors

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. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sustainable polymers
polysaccharides
films
polyphenols
food wastes
agroforestry wastes
circular economy
protein-based polymers
lignin-based polymers
additives
nanocelluloses
lignin nanoparticles
lipids and fats
bacterial polyesters
biodegradation
functional additives

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 5482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Valorization of Tomato Agricultural Waste for 3D-Printed Polymer Composites Based on Poly(lactic acid)

by Sotirios Pemas, Dimitrios Gkiliopoulos, Christina Samiotaki, Dimitrios N. Bikiaris, Zoi Terzopoulou and Eleftheria Maria Pechlivani

Polymers 2024, 16(11), 1536; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16111536 - 29 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1261

Abstract

Agricultural waste is a renewable source of lignocellulosic components, which can be processed in a variety of ways to yield added-value materials for various applications, e.g., polymer composites. However, most lignocellulosic biomass is incinerated for energy. Typically, agricultural waste is left to decompose in the fields, causing problems such as greenhouse gas release, attracting insects and rodents, and impacting soil fertility. This study aims to valorise nonedible tomato waste with no commercial value in Additive Manufacturing (AM) to create sustainable, cost-effective and added-value PLA composites. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) filaments with 5 and 10 wt.% tomato stem powder (TSP) were developed, and 3D-printed specimens were tested. Mechanical testing showed consistent tensile properties with 5% TSP addition, while flexural strength decreased, possibly due to void formation. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) indicated changes in storage modulus and damping factor with TSP addition. Notably, the composites exhibited antioxidant activity, increasing with higher TSP content. These findings underscore the potential of agricultural waste utilization in FFF, offering insights into greener waste management practices and addressing challenges in mechanical performance and material compatibility. This research highlights the viability of integrating agricultural waste into filament-based AM, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and promoting circular economy initiatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Additives and Reinforcements from Upgraded Wastes from the Food Industry and Agroforestry)

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20 pages, 4044 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of Polylactic Acid Biocomposites Filled with Native Starch Granules from Dioscorea remotiflora Tubers

by Yokiushirdhilgilmara Estrada-Girón, Víctor Vladimir Amílcar Fernández-Escamilla, Angelina Martín-del-Campo, Rubén González-Nuñez, Gonzalo Canché-Escamilla, Jorge Uribe-Calderón, Nancy Tepale, Jacobo Aguilar and Francisco Javier Moscoso-Sánchez

Polymers 2024, 16(7), 899; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16070899 - 25 Mar 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1196

Abstract

Biocomposites were fabricated utilizing polylactic acid (PLA) combined with native starch sourced from mountain’s yam (Dioscorea remotiflora Knuth), an underexplored tuber variety. Different starch compositions (7.5, 15.0, 22.5, and 30.0 wt.%) were blended with PLA in a batch mixer at 160 °C to produce PLA/starch biocomposites. The biocomposites were characterized by analyzing their morphology, particle size distribution, thermal, X-ray diffraction (XDR), mechanical, and dynamic mechanical (DMA) properties, water absorption behavior, and color. The results showed that the amylose content of Dioscorea remotiflora starch was 48.43 ± 1.4%, which corresponds to a high-amylose starch (>30% of amylose). Particle size analysis showed large z-average particle diameters (D_z0) of the starch granules (30.59 ± 3.44 μm). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed oval-shaped granules evenly distributed throughout the structure of the biocomposite, without observable agglomeration or damage to its structure. XDR and DMA analyses revealed an increase in the crystallinity of the biocomposites as the proportion of the starch increased. The tensile modulus (E) underwent a reduction, whereas the flexural modulus (E_flex) increased with the amount of starch incorporated. The biocomposites with the highest E_flex were those with a starch content of 22.5 wt.%, which increased by 8.7% compared to the neat PLA. The water absorption of the biocomposites demonstrated a higher uptake capacity as the starch content increased. The rate of water absorption in the biocomposites followed the principles of Fick’s Law. The novelty of this work lies in its offering an alternative for the use of high-amylose mountain’s yam starch to produce low-cost bioplastics for different applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Additives and Reinforcements from Upgraded Wastes from the Food Industry and Agroforestry)

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21 pages, 23999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Coffee Variety and Processing on the Properties of Parchments as Functional Bioadditives for Biobased Poly(butylene succinate) Composites

by Mirko Rennert and Benedikt T. Hiller

Polymers 2023, 15(14), 2985; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15142985 - 8 Jul 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1587

Abstract

Fermented polymers like biobased poly(butylene succinate) (BioPBS) have become more relevant as technical substitutes for ductile petrochemical-based polymers but require biogenic functional additives to deaccelerate undesired thermo-oxidative degradation and keep a fully biobased character. In this paper, the influence of coffee parchment (PMT) from two different varieties and processings on the thermo-oxidative stabilization and mechanical properties of poly(butylene succinate) composites up to 20 wt.-% PMT were investigated. Micronized with a TurboRotor mill, both PMT powders differ in particle size and shape, moisture ab- and adsorption behavior and antioxidative properties. It could be shown that pulped-natural PMT consists partially of coffee cherry residues, which leads to a higher total polyphenol content and water activity. The homogeneous PMT from fully washed processing has a higher thermal degradation resistance but consists of fibers with larger diameters. Compounded with the BioPBS and subsequent injection molded, the fully washed PMT leads to higher stiffness and equal tensile strength but lower toughness compared to the pulped-natural PMT, especially at lower deformation speed. Surprisingly, the fully washed PMT showed a higher stability against thermo-oxidative decomposition despite the lower values in the total phenol content and antioxidative activity. The required antioxidative stabilizers might be extracted at higher temperatures from the PMT fibers, making it a suitable biogenic stabilizer for extrusion processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Additives and Reinforcements from Upgraded Wastes from the Food Industry and Agroforestry)

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14 pages, 2401 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Valorization of Honduran Agro-Food Waste to Produce Bioplastics

by Daniel Castro-Criado, Octavio Rivera-Flores, Johar Amin Ahmed Abdullah, Elia Castro-Osorto, María Alonso-González, Lucy Ramos-Casco, Víctor M. Perez-Puyana, Marlon Sánchez-Barahona, Pablo Sánchez-Cid, Mercedes Jiménez-Rosado and Alberto Romero

Polymers 2023, 15(12), 2625; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15122625 - 9 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2780

Abstract

The development of biodegradable plastics and eco-friendly biomaterials derived from renewable resources is crucial for reducing environmental damage. Agro-industrial waste and rejected food can be polymerized into bioplastics, offering a sustainable solution. Bioplastics find use in various industries, including for food, cosmetics, and the biomedical sector. This research investigated the fabrication and characterization of bioplastics using three types of Honduran agro-wastes: taro, yucca, and banana. The agro-wastes were stabilized and characterized (physicochemically and thermically). Taro flour presented the highest protein content (around 4.7%) and banana flour showed the highest moisture content (around 2%). Furthermore, bioplastics were produced and characterized (mechanically and functionally). Banana bioplastics had the best mechanical properties, with a Young’s modulus around 300 MPa, while taro bioplastics had the highest water-uptake capacity (200%). In general, the results showed the potential of these Honduran agro-wastes for producing bioplastics with different characteristics that could add value to these wastes, promoting the circular economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Additives and Reinforcements from Upgraded Wastes from the Food Industry and Agroforestry)

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17 pages, 2832 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Valorization of Arnica montana Wastes after Extraction of the Ethanol Tincture: Application in Polymer-Based Matrices

by Noelia Flórez-Fernández, Tania Ferreira-Anta, María Dolores Torres and Herminia Domínguez

Polymers 2021, 13(18), 3121; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13183121 - 16 Sep 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2907

Abstract

The waste solids remaining after the ethanolic extraction of arnica were proposed as raw material for the recovery of the remaining phenolic fraction. Greener processes based on intensification extraction, with microwave (MHG) and ultrasound (UAE) assistance and pressurized hot water extraction under subcritical conditions (AH), were studied. The entire process provided approximately 28% of phenolics for the sequence when MHG was used, 22% in the sequence where AH was employed, and the extracts showed up to 60% the ABTS radical scavenging capacity of Trolox. However, the cytotoxic effects on the cell growth of tumoral cells were only moderate. Therefore, considering a possible external topical application, extracts containing selected arnica extracts were further used to develop polymer-based gelled matrices formulated with either chitosan or polyvinyl alcohol. Rheological testing indicated that all proposed matrices exhibited relatively high mechanical features, even better than those determined with matrices prepared with their counterpart commercial arnica tinctures. Overall, the shear-thinning behavior of gelled matrices loaded with arnica extracts obtained by MHG or AH stages was enhanced compared to those containing ethanolic extracts, whereas the viscoelastic features became smoother for polymeric matrices incorporated with arnica extracts recovered at the highest MHG irradiation powers or at the highest set point temperatures of AH treatments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Additives and Reinforcements from Upgraded Wastes from the Food Industry and Agroforestry)

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22 pages, 3788 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Upgrading Recycled Polypropylene from Textile Wastes in Wood Plastic Composites with Short Hemp Fiber

by Francisco Burgada, Eduardo Fages, Luis Quiles-Carrillo, Diego Lascano, Juan Ivorra-Martinez, Marina P. Arrieta and Octavio Fenollar

Polymers 2021, 13(8), 1248; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13081248 - 12 Apr 2021

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 5269

Abstract

This research reports the manufacturing and characterization of green composites made from recycled polypropylene obtained from the remnants of polypropylene non-woven fabrics used in the textile industry and further reinforced with short hemp fibers (SHFs). To improve the interaction of the reinforcing fibers with the recycled polymeric matrix, two types of compatibilizing agents (maleic anhydride grafted, PP-g-MA, and maleinized linseed oil, MLO) were added during melt-processing, the percentage of which had to remain constant concerning the amount of fiber loading to ensure complete reactivity. Standardized test specimens were obtained by injection molding. The composites were characterized by mechanical (tensile, impact, and hardness), thermal (DSC, TGA), thermomechanical, FTIR, and FESEM microscopy tests. In addition, color and water uptake properties were also analyzed. The results show that the addition of PP-g-MA to rPP was satisfactory, thus improving the fiber-matrix interaction, resulting in a marked reinforcing effect of the hemp fibers in the recycled PP matrix, which can be reflected in the increased stiffness of the samples. In parallel to the compatibilizing effect, a plasticizing effect was obtained by incorporating MLO, causing a decrease in the glass transition temperature of the composites by approximately 6 °C and an increase in ductility compared to the unfilled recycled polypropylene samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers, Additives and Reinforcements from Upgraded Wastes from the Food Industry and Agroforestry)

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