ARS | Publication request: STARCH-BASED BIOPRODUCTS IN ENCAPSULATION APPLICATIONS AND FOOD PACKAGING

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 6, 2005
Publication Date: June 5, 2005
Citation: Glenn, G.M., Imam, S.H., Klamczynski, A., Ludvik, C.N., Chiou, B., Wood, D.F., Orts, W.J. 2004. Starch-based bioproducts in encapsulation applications and food packaging. Presented at the 2nd Int'l Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry and 9th Annual Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference in Washington, DC; June 20-24, 2004. Paper No. 182 (Abstract).

Technical Abstract: Microcellular starch foams have been reported with pore sizes ranging from the micron to the nanometer range. These foams can sorb volatile compounds but can also absorb more than seven times their weight in solvent. Microcellular starch foam was used as a reservoir material to study the controlled release of various solvents. The foams were used to meter the release system of 2-heptanone over a forty day period to control parasitic mites in bee hives. Another important use of starch is in the manufacture of fully compostable, environmentally sound food service containers using a baking process. Containers made primarily of starch are not moisture resistant and must be laminated. A process was developed to both bake the product and laminate the product in a single step. The laminated samples were moisture resistant and had functional properties similar to those of commercial packaging products.