Composites and Nanocomposites Based on Starches. Effect of Mineral and Organic Fillers on Processing, Structure, and Final Properties of Starch

L.A. CASTILLO; O.V. LÓPEZ; M.D. NINAGO; F. VERSINO; S.E. BARBOSA; M.A. GARCÍA; M.A. VILLAR

Starch-Based Materials in Food Packaging: Processing, Characterization and Applications

Elsevier Inc.

Lugar: London; Año: 2017; p. 125 - 152

Development of materials based on biodegradable polymers from renewable sources has received considerable attention from academic and industrial sectors. Among other biopolymers, starch is a good candidate for this purpose mainly due to its biodegradable character, low cost, worldwide availability, and functionality. Thus the use of this polysaccharide in the packaging industry is an interesting and promissory option for the designing of biomaterials for specific applications. Accordingly main topics discussed in this book are related to the most recent advances in the development of biomaterials from different starches, applying several technologies at laboratory and semiindustrial scales. Besides the effect of formulations and processing conditions on structural and final properties of starch-based materials are included. Finally potential applications of starch materials in diverse fields, especially in food packaging, are also presented. The main purpose of this book is to provide the state of the art of the development of biomaterials based on different starches, including processing and characterization, as well as, evaluation of their possible applications. Even though, in the current literature several books related to this topic are available, this book offers complementary information mainly related to the possibility of obtaining materials at large scale by adapting the existing technology for synthetic polymers, which implies a low-cost investment by the industrial sector. Besides current commercial applications of starch materials are reported, as well as, new possibilities of uses are also evaluated as a function of their final properties. An experimental approach based on the processing and characterization of biopolymers derived from different starches, is mainly presented. It includes fundamental knowledge and practical applications, and it also covers valuable experimental case studies. This book offers a comprehensive overview concerning to biodegradable polymers, covering the new trends on their applications. Concerning to the style of the book, it is proposed for academics, researchers, and all those involved in the manufacture and use of biodegradable materials based on thermoplastic starch. Moreover, it intended to be a reliable reference source for those wanting to learn more about this important class of polymeric materials. World experts from Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Argentine, China, Malaysia, and Spain have written different book chapters. This book is focused toward an ecological proposal to partially replace synthetic polymers arising from nonrenewable sources for specific applications. Thus the use of starch as feedstock to develop biodegradable materials is a good and promissory alternative. With the contributions and collaboration of experts in the development and study of starch-based materials, this book pretends to be an up-to-date showing the versatility of this polysaccharide and its potential use, especially for food packaging.