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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Bioproducts Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #328328
Research Project: Bioproducts from Agricultural Feedstocks

Location: Bioproducts Research

Title: Effect of montmorillonite clay addition on the morphological and physical properties of Jatropha curcas L. and Glycine max L. protein concentrate films

Author
item OSORIO-RUIZ, ALEX - Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro De Desarrollo De Productos Bioticos (CEPROBI)
item SOLORZZA-FERIA, JAVIER - Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro De Desarrollo De Productos Bioticos (CEPROBI)
item Chiou, Bor-Sen
item Wood, Delilah - De
item Williams, Tina
item Avena-Bustillos, Roberto
item MARTINEZ-AYALA, ALMA-LETICIA - Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro De Desarrollo De Productos Bioticos (CEPROBI)

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/6/2016
Publication Date: 10/18/2016
Citation: Osorio-Ruiz, A., Solorzza-Feria, J., Chiou, B., Wood, D.F., Williams, T.G., Avena-Bustillos, R.D., Martinez-Ayala, A. 2016. Effect of montmorillonite clay addition on the morphological and physical properties of Jatropha curcas L. and Glycine max L. protein concentrate films. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. doi:10.1002/app.44459.

Interpretive Summary: Protein films offer a viable alternative to synthetic polymers for packaging applications. They are biodegradable, produced from a renewable source, and have good oxygen barrier properties. However, they have poor water vapor barrier properties and are mechanically weaker than synthetic polymer films. In this study, we incorporated nanoclays into jatropha and spy protein films and examined their material properties. The nanoclay was heterogeneously dispersed in the films, but the films showed improved mechanical and water vapor barrier properties.

Technical Abstract: Protein concentrates from jatropha (JPC) and soy seeds (SPC) were obtained by solubilization and acid precipitation of proteins. Films from JPC and SPC were prepared by the casting method, using two different montmorillonite (MMT) clay concentrations and plasticized with glycerol. Film properties were evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric (TGA), tensile, water retention and Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) techniques. Typical tactoid microcomposite structures were found to be heterogeneously dispersed in the films containing MMTA small X-ray diffraction peak was found in films with clay. Slight improvements in thermal stability and tensile strength were observed in the films reinforced with MMT. Reductions in water retention and water vapor transmission rates were obtained when MMT was added into the films.