Title : Use of Stipa Ichu as a reinforcement in the manufacture of biodegradable films for food packaging
Abstract:
Stipa Ichu is a Peruvian endemic plant that grows in the Andean regions spontaneously and has no industrial value. It is estimated an annual production of 70,000 tons with a cost of harvesting of USD 0.15. One of the issues associated with its wild growth is that its fibers are highly flammable and can cause forest fires altering the environment. The purpose of this research is to add value to the fibers of Stipa Ichu as raw material to produce microfibers, given its high availability in the country and its high cellulose content. Steam explosion technology was used as the main process, allowing the sustainable and eco-friendly production of this product. On the other hand, cellulose microfibers were used as reinforcement in biopolymeric matrices prepared from starch to provide structural reinforcement and improve the performance of this material in packaging for food products. Thin films were developed by the tape casting method with microfibers incorporated in different proportions, resulting in better mechanical and barrier properties.
Audience Take Away:
- Bio based materials.
- Scale up of nanocellulose
- New technology of processing fibres, like Stipa Ichu.
