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Studies on the Development of Biodegradable Plastics and Their Safety and Degradability  

You, Young-Sun (Biomass Plastics R&D, AU Co. Ltd.)
Han, Jung-gu (AU Co. Ltd.)
Lee, Han-na (Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women's University)
Park, Su-il (Department of Packaging, Yonsei University)
Min, Sea-Cheol (Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women's University)
Publication Information
Food Engineering Progress / v.15, no.3, 2011 , pp. 257-261 More about this Journal
Abstract
Biodegradable plastics were developed using biodegradable pellets made of corn stalk and rice husk and their safety as food packages and their biodegradability against light (ultraviolet (UV)), heat, and fungi were evaluated. Four kinds of 50-${\mu}m$ biodegradable plastics were produced by extruding the mixtures of the biodegradable pellets, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) with different compositions. Developed biodegradable plastics were safe to be used as food packages. The initial tensile strength and percentage elongation of the plastics were similar to those of LDPE, but the values decreased with increased their exposure time to UV and heat. The fungal biodegradability of the biodegradable plastics was higher than that of LDPE. The biodegradability of the biodegradable plastics shows the potential for them to be used as sustainable food packages.
Keywords
biodegradable plastics; biodegradability; thermal degradability; photolysis; eco packaging;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 1  (Citation Analysis)
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