DEVELOPMENT OF BIO-BASED PLASTICS FROM ISOLATED CANOLA PROTEINS
Date
2025-01-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
0000-0002-2865-9195
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
There is great potential for adding value to agriculture by-products through various means, one of which is the development of bio-based plastics. These plastics have numerous environmental benefits compared to synthetic plastics, as they are compostable, biodegradable, and made from sustainable and renewable resources. This study aims to investigate the production of bio-based materials using proteins, specifically albumins (napin) and globulins (cruciferin), derived from canola meal. This research involves methods for defatting the meal, extracting and fractionating the proteins, characterization of meal and protein fractions, formulation, and characterization of the mechanical and physicochemical properties of the resulting bio-based polymers/plastics.
The research is divided into three studies. The first study focuses on using dehulled canola seed to produce defatted canola meal products. This includes a comparison of defatting using either anhydrous ethanol or hexane after pre-pressing the seed. The solvent extracted meal was then used as a source of protein isolates. The physicochemical properties of the protein isolates were compared. The second study examines the use of the extracted protein isolates as ingredients in the formulation of bio-based polymeric films. The experimental films were prepared with protein alone, or with protein blended with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This study also includes the mechanical tests of the prepared films and statistical analysis for each composition. The third study describes the formulation and characterization of bio-based adhesives that are prepared with isolates of low molecular weight canola proteins (napin).
While the current challenges in production and use of bio-based plastics, such as durability, scalability, performance, and cost, are significant, they also present opportunities for further research and innovation. Future work could focus on developing new processing techniques to enhance durability and thermo-mechanical resistance of bio-based plastics, exploring more efficient manufacturing processes for scalability, and investigating ways to reduce costs. Additionally, the environmental impact of bio-based plastics could be further reduced by minimizing the use of synthetic compounds in their formulations. By addressing these challenges, we can move closer to the goal of replacing traditional plastics with more sustainable alternatives, thereby contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.
Description
Keywords
Canola proteins, cruciferin, napin, bio-based plastic films, bio-based adhesives, mechanical properties.
Citation
Degree
Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Department
Food and Bioproduct Sciences
Program
Food Science