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Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
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Research Project: DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURALLY-DERIVED BIOPOLYMER COMPOSITES FOR NON-FOOD APPLICATIONS

Location: Bioproduct Chemistry and Engineering Research

Title: Permeability of starch gel matrices and select films to solvent vapors

Authors

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2006
Publication Date: May 3, 2006
Citation: Glenn, G.M., Klamczynski, A., Ludvik, C.N., Shey, J., Imam, S.H., Chiou, B., Mchugh, T.H., Orts, W.J., Wood, D.F., Hoffman, G.D., Offeman, R.D. 2006. Permeability of starch gel matrices and select films to solvent vapors. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 54(9):3297-3304.

Interpretive Summary: The controlled release of volatile, agrochemicals is critical in developing approaches to pest control that are economically viable and environmentally sound. Dispensing systems that are made of materials that degrade in agricultural environments when they are spent offer distinct advantages over non-degrading systems that must be collected from the field when their functional life is over. The present study describes the use of starch gels and foams along with biobased films and coatings to control the release of volatile liquids with particular emphasis on 2-heptanone, which has miticidal properties.

Technical Abstract: The controlled release of volatile, agrochemicals is critical in developing approaches to pest control that are economically viable and environmentally sound. Dispensing systems that are made of materials that degrade in agricultural environments when they are spent offer distinct advantages over non-degrading systems that must be collected from the field when their functional life is over. The present study describes the use of starch gels and foams along with biobased films and coatings to control the release of volatile liquids with particular emphasis on 2-heptanone, which has miticidal properties. Starch foam matrices immobilized several times their weight of solvent but were not effective in adequately controlling the release rate of 2-heptanone. Films made of beeswax, paraffin, ethylene (vinyl alcohol) copolymer (48 mol% ethylene) and a commercial fruit film were used as coatings to reduce the vapor transmission rate of volatile liquids. The release rate of 2-heptanone was effectively controlled by using films of beeswax, blends of beeswax and paraffin wax or laminates consisting of beeswax and fruit film.

   

 
Project Team
Glenn, Gregory - Greg
Orts, William - Bill
Chiou, Bor-Sen
Robertson, George
Imam, Syed
Wood, Delilah - De
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)
 
Patents
  Starch Foam Microparticles
 
 
Last Modified: 05/23/2013
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