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Rational design and characterization of bioplastics from Hermetia illucens prepupae proteins
Author(s) -
Barbi Silvia,
Messori Massimo,
Manfredini Tiziano,
Pini Martina,
Montorsi Monia
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
biopolymers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.556
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1097-0282
pISSN - 0006-3525
DOI - 10.1002/bip.23250
Subject(s) - hermetia illucens , chemistry , bioplastic , plasticizer , glycerol , citric acid , chemical engineering , solvent , organic chemistry , waste management , larva , botany , engineering , biology
In this study proteins extracted from prepupae of Hermetia illucens , also known as black soldier fly, are investigated as promising base for a new type of bioplastics for agricultural purposes. Design of experiments techniques are employed to perform a rational study on the effects of different combination of glycerol as plasticizer, citric acid as cross‐linking agent and distilled water as solvent on the capability of proteins to form a free‐standing film through casting technique, keeping as fixed the quantity of proteins. Glycerol shows interesting properties as plasticizer contributing to the formation of homogenous and free‐standing film. Moreover, mechanical and thermal characterizations are performed to estimate the effect of increasing amounts of proteins on the final properties and thickness of the specimens. Proteins derived from H. illucens can be successfully employed as base for bioplastics to be employed for agricultural purposes.