ARS | Publication request: PROCESSING BIOPOLYMERS AND BIOMATERIALS FOR NOVEL USES

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: November 29, 2004
Publication Date: December 15, 2004
Citation: Glenn, G.M., Klamczynski, A., Ludvik, C.N., Orts, W.J., Imam, S.H., Wood, D.F., Chiou, B. 2004. Processing biopolymers and biomaterials for novel uses. Popular Publication, 3:30-43.

Interpretive Summary: Wheat farmers grow twice the amount of wheat needed for domestic consumption. There is also an abundance of corn in the U.S. This paper reports processes for making starch-based foams and presents potential commercial applications. This research will help efforts to develop new markets for wheat and corn which will benefit farmers and rural communities.

Technical Abstract: Biopolymers such as starch and biomaterials that include waxes can be used to make composite materials with unique physical, mechanical and chemical properties with a variety of potential applications. This paper focuses on the use of starch processing techniques to develop starch foam with different porosity, density and particle size. Starch nanofoams were evaluated in ncapsulation of volatile compounds and in controlled-release applications for foods and for pest control applications.