| Popis: |
Flexible packaging is an integral part of the food supply chain due to its unique thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties. The many advantages (e.g., lightweight, product protection, reduction in food waste, communication medium, etc.) come with certain drawbacks (low recyclability rate, pollution of ecosystems, etc.). Still, the heavy reliance of the food industry on these products, many of them being unsustainable plastics derived from petrochemicals, is unlikely to diminish in the foreseeable future. Therefore, more sustainable alternatives that do not sacrifice performance (machinability, shelf-life, etc.) are needed before pollution becomes irreversible and public outcry insurmountable. Nanocellulose, especially in the form of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), can be incorporated into sustainable polymer matrices to enhance mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. More research to find novel biomasses for CNC extraction would be welcomed by industry. One potential biomass source for the extraction of nanocellulose is the invasive deciduous perennial: kudzu (peuraria montana var. lobata). An industrial benefit for this agricultural nuisance may exist, however there has not been any formal research related to kudzu CNCs. The purpose of this research is to extract cellulose nanocrystals from kudzu and characterize them to evaluate their efficacy as an additive in degradable packaging solutions. |
