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Projeto de investigação
REsources from URban BIo-waSte
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Polychlorinated biphenyl profile in polyhydroxy-alkanoates synthetized from urban organicwastes
Publication . Riccardi, Carmela; Buiarelli, Francesca; Castellani, Federica; Filippo, Patrizia Di; Lorini, Laura; Majone, Mauro; Matos, Mariana; Pomata, Donatella; Simonetti, Giulia; Ferreira, Bruno Sommer; Valentino, Francesco; DQ - Departamento de Química; MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
The microbial synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from organic wastes is a valuable process to valorize available renewable resources, such as food wastes and biological sludge. Bioplastics find many applications in various sectors, from medical field to food industry. However, persistent organic pollutants could be transferred from wastes to the final product. The present paper demonstrates that the use of municipal wastes in PHA production is safe for the environment and human health and provides a polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) profile in both commercial and waste-based PHA samples. PCB analysis in several PHA samples showed very low concentrations of the target analytes. Commercial PHA samples showed a similar PCB level with respect to PHA samples from municipal waste/sludge and higher than PHA samples from fruit waste. For all analyzed PCBs, detected concentrations were consistently lower than the ones reported in regulatory framework or guidelines.
Preparation and Characterization of Electrospun Food Biopackaging Films of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Derived From Fruit Pulp Biowaste
Publication . Melendez-Rodriguez, Beatriz; Castro-Mayorga, Jinneth L.; Reis, Maria A. M.; Sammon, Chris; Cabedo, Luis; Torres-Giner, Sergio; Lagaron, Jose M.; UCIBIO - Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit; DQ - Departamento de Química; Frontiers Media
In the present study, circular economy based and potentially low-cost poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) was produced by mixed microbial cultures derived from fruit pulp, an industrial by-product of the juice industry. Three different chemical routes, namely non-extraction, extraction with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), and extraction with chloroform, in combination with filtering and centrifugation, were explored to purify the biopolymer and find the most optimal solution for its processing via electrospinning. The resultant ultrathin fiber mats of the different extracted PHBV materials were thermally post-processed at different temperatures in order to obtain continuous films adequate for food packaging applications. The resultant films were characterized in terms of morphology, crystallinity as well as thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties. The results showed that extraction with both chloroform and NaClO with a post-treatment of filtering and centrifugation of the PHBV-containing biomass were necessary refining steps to allow its processing by electrospinning. In particular, the PHBV extracted with chloroform presented the highest degree of purity, resulting in more transparent films with lower wettability and higher flexibility. The here-formulated electrospun films made of biomass derived from biowaste exhibit great potential as interlayers or coatings for food biopackaging applications.
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Entidade financiadora
European Commission
Programa de financiamento
H2020
Número da atribuição
730349