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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Plant Polymer Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #245305
Title: Compatibilizing Polyvinylpyyrolidone with Corn Zein by Melt-Processing

Author
item Sessa, David
item Woods, Kristen
item Mohamed, Abdellatif

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/30/2009
Publication Date: 1/21/2010
Citation: Sessa, D.J., Woods, K.K., Mohamed, A. 2010. Compatibilizing Polyvinylpyyrolidone with Corn Zein by Melt-Processing. Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Corn zein was melt-processed with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on a Brabender single screw extruder with a 2:1 compression ratio. Three different molecular weights of PVP: 55K, 360K, 1.3M were added at 2.5 to 20% based on dry weight of zein. The melt-processed zeins were finely ground. Thermal properties of the powders were evaluated by DSC and TGA. Mechanical properties of compression molded tensile bars were evaluated by Instron and bars were also subjected to DMA analysis. Regardless of PVP molecular weights, the samples exhibited a 10% increase in tensile strength compared to the zein control. Thermal analyses confirmed that zein and PVP form a compatible blend when melt-processed.