It is the International Scientific Review of the Ethical Packaging Charter Foundation. A bimonthly publication in which 7 multidisciplinary articles are presented, relating to packaging, selected by several magazines of the digital science world.
In this number:
Aptamer-based biosensors for the analytical determination of Bisphenol A in food.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic compound used to produce plastics for materials in contact with food (FCM) or resins for the interior of food containers. It has been recognized as a chemical that alters the endocrine system (EDC). Diet is considered the main source of exposure for humans to BPA. So far, many reviews have been published on aptamer-based biosensors and biosensors, but none of them focus on their applications in their analyzes of bisphenols in food matrices. As a new DGT value was recently proposed by EFSA (0.04 ng / kg), the search for new sensitive tools for quantitative analysis of BPA is more urgent than ever.
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/8/3752
A solvent-free approach to crosslinked hydrophobic polymer coatings on paper using vegetable oil.
Hydrophobic coatings are of the utmost importance for many paper-based material applications. However, to date, most coating methods require large amounts of chemicals and solvents. Fossil-based coating materials are often used, and multiple derivatization reactions are often required to achieve the desired performance. In this work, we present a solvent-free paper coating process, in which olive oil as the main biogenic component is used to obtain a hydrophobic barrier on paper.
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/9/1773
Sustainable wax coatings made from pine needle extraction scraps for hydrophobing of the nanopaper.
In the present work, renewable and waste materials were combined to produce hydrophobic membranes. Cellulose nanopaper prepared from paper waste was used as a structural component for the membrane. Pine wax was recovered from pine needle extraction waste and can be considered a by-product. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to identify characteristic groups of components and show changes on the coated nanopaper. Overall, the results of this work provide important information on wax-coated cellulose nanopapers and a comparison of spray and dip coating methods. Prepared materials have potential applications as membranes and packaging materials.
https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/5/537
Production and analysis of the physico-chemical properties of the pyrolytic oil obtained from the pyrolysis of different thermoplastic materials and plastic mixtures.
The constant search for the correct management of non-degradable waste in conjunction with the circular economy makes the thermal pyrolysis of plastics an important technique for obtaining products of industrial interest. The present study aims to produce pyrolytic oil from thermoplastics and their different mixtures in order to determine the best performance between these and different mixtures, as well as to characterize the liquid fraction obtained to analyze its use based on these properties. This was carried out in a batch type reactor at a temperature of 400 ° C both for the single plastics and for their mixtures, from which the yields of the different fractions are obtained.
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/10/3287
Enhancement of the bauxite residue in ceramic pastes.
Bauxite residue or red mud (RM) is a hazardous industrial waste generated from the production of alumina using the Bayer process. Currently, it is one of the most abundant industrial waste. Currently, 300 million tons of RM are generated annually worldwide, and there are already around 3 billion tons stored in ponds or dry mounds. Consequently, it is of the utmost importance to address this problem and change this paradigm. This work aims to enhance the red mud by using it as a dye in stoneware ceramic pastes. For this purpose, RM in different proportions (0-10 wt.%) Was added to the ceramic paste. RM was first dried (at 120 ° C) and then used as received and calcined at 600 ° C, for a heating rate of 10 ° C / min and a residence time of 30 min. Therefore, this work provides a viable alternative for the management of this waste and reduces the environmental problems associated with the disposal of raw materials and the carbon footprint associated with the ceramic manufacturing process. Furthermore, these results show that the bauxite residue, a dangerous waste, can be used as a colorant in stoneware products, promoting the concept of circular economy.
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/8/1/14
Chitosan-based materials: an overview of potential applications in food packaging.
Chitosan is a multifunctional biopolymer widely used in the food and medical fields due to its good antibacterial, antioxidant and enzyme inhibiting activity and its degradability. The biological activity of chitosan as a new food storage material has gradually become a hot research topic. This article examines recent research on the bioactive mechanism of chitosan and introduces strategies for modifying and applying chitosan for food storage and different storage techniques to explore the potential application value of chitosan-based active food packaging. Finally, questions and perspectives on the role of chitosan in improving the freshness of food are presented to provide a theoretical basis and a scientific reference for future research.
https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/10/1490
Applications of starch biopolymers for sustainable modern agriculture.
Protected cultivation in modern agriculture relies heavily on mulch films of plastic origin, nets, packaging, pipes, silage and various applications. Polyolefins synthesized by petrochemical routes are widely consumed in plastics, where PP and PE are the dominant plastics. By imposing substantial impacts on our geosphere and humanity, plastic in the soil threatens food security, health and the environment. Poorly handled plastics are not biodegradable under natural conditions and generate problematic emerging pollutants such as nano-microplastics. Starch is one of the most abundant biodegradable biopolymers from renewable sources; it also contains adjustable thermoplastic properties suitable for various agricultural applications.
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/10/6085
