Desarrollo de un bioplástico a partir de harina de maíz negro (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

The present research project aims to develop from black corn flour (Zea mays L.) to offer to the industry innovative bioproducts based on the reduction of the environmental impact in situ that synthetic plastics do not. The experimental design determined that it is possible to produce bioplastics and that they have good physical, mechanical, optical and biodegradation characteristics to similar conventional synthetic plastics (black plant transplant sleeves) based on low density polyethylene (LDPE). The results obtained in the different analyses show that the bioplastics have a thickness of 0.5 mm, moisture content of 15 percent, resistance to deformation of 26 N, water vapor permeability of approximately 1 gram, millimeters, hours to minus one, centimeters to minus 2, pascals to minus 1, solubility of 18 percent, water resistance of 48 hours, high luminosity and brightness, transparency of 26 percent and high biodegradation in less than 30 days. On the other hand, the development of bioplastics from black corn flour on an industrial scale does not require special machinery, due to the use of plastic molds, and temperature for drying. Finally, bioplastics are shown to be an ecological alternative to reduce the excessive plastic waste pollution existing on our planet.